Softball: St. Viator finishes 2-1 in Peoria

St. Viator's softball team was playing in the same town on Saturday where Fremd's boys basketball was competing in the Class AA boys state finals.

And like the Vikings' boys, the Lions' girls were playing at an indoors venue in Peoria - at the Louisville Sluggers Sports Complex.

While the Vikings were clutching a fourth-place trophy at Bradley's Carver Arena, the Lions grabbed their second win of the season, 13-10, over Benet, before dropping a 10-5 decision to Peoria Notre Dame.

With a win over St. Edward on Friday, Viator finished 2-1 on its season-opening road trip to central Illinois.

The Lions belted 13 hits against the Redwings, as senior sluggers Addy Swiderski and Jenna Breslin belted their first homers of the season.

Viator fell behind 3-0 but took a 4-3 lead in the top of third inning when Swiderski hit a 2-run homer.

The Lions stretched their lead with 5 runs in the fourth.

The inning started with singles by Cara Haubner, Cam VanValkenburg, Grace Kaiser and Jenna Breslin.

Swiderski, who had 5 RBI on the day, doubled to clear the bases.

Benet responded with 5 runs in the bottom of the to close to within 9-8.

But Viator charged back with 4 runs in the top of the fifth.

Jessica Taylor, Cam VanValkenburg (2 hits) and Haley Robinson each singled to lead off the inning before Kaiser (3 hits) belted a 2-run double. Breslin capped the inning with a 2-run homer, giving her 3 RBI fro the day.

Jessica Taylor picked up her first win of the year and Kaiser pitched 3 scoreless innings for the save.

In the loss to Notre Dame, Robinson and freshman Nicole Ardito each had 2 hits. VanValkenburg also had a double.

"Overall, I was pretty happy with our hitting, especially in the first two games (Lions defeated St. Edward 9-5 on Friday)," said Lions coach John Scotillo. "We played Notre Dame even through five innings (5-5). I think we ran out of gas in the last inning (ND scored 5 in the seventh inning). We are looking forward to getting outside."