Softball: Montini blows out Loyola

Montini made sure it wasn't looking ahead.

The Broncos attended to GCAC Red softball business Tuesday against visiting Loyola with a 17-1 victory in five innings.

It's a good way to prepare for Thursday, when Providence Catholic comes to Lombard in a game that has major implications for the league race.

"I'm very pleased with where we are at right now," said Broncos coach Mike Bukovsky. "Providence beat us 4-0 at their place for our only conference loss. Our goal was to be undefeated until we met and we accomplished that. We're looking forward to a great game."

A win will tie the Broncos and Celtics for the conference lead.

Montini (19-3, 11-1) had to wait to get going against the Ramblers (3-9 GCAC Red) because a problem with Loyola's team bus delayed the squad from leaving its Wilmette campus. The game started 52 minutes late.

"It was not that big of a deal," said Emily Lezcano, who hit a 2-run home in the second inning, one of three the Broncos crushed. "We were ready to hit. It was beneficial to us. We got extra time to warm up and extra swings."

Montini, which finished with 10 hits, opened the game with 6 runs on 3 hits, a first inning that included a Loyola fielding error and two wild pitches. Lauren Latoria drove in a run with an single to right, as did Alyssa Filikowski's sacrifice fly as the team batted around.

The Ramblers, who collected 6 hits, enjoyed their best inning in the second by scoring their lone run on 2 hits. Alexis Rocha singled to right with one out and scored on Cassidy Rodgers' groundball out.

The Broncos played long ball in the bottom of the second. Amy Bukovsky led off by sending a 2-2 into orbit for a solo homer. Nicole Cuchran followed with a walk. With two outs Lezcano hit her 2-run homer, pushing Montini to a 9-1 advantage.

The team didn't let up in the third. It crossed the plate eight times on five hits and batted around again.

Bukovsky's sacrifice fly, Alyssa Sclafani's single and Latoria's infield hit all brought in runs, and that set the stage for Filikowski putting a 2-2 pitch over the fence for a 3-run home run.

"After you get a big lead like that, you start having fun," she said. "It makes a big difference."

Winning pitcher Naomi Alonzo struck out the final two batters in the Loyola fifth to end the game. She finished with six strikeouts.