Softball: Downers Grove North edges Montini
Two of DuPage County's top softball games battled it out Wednesday when No. 3 Downers Grove North beat visiting No. 7 Montini 5-3.
With the postseason fast approaching, this game was a vital tuneup for both squads which have hopes of sticking around the playoffs for a while.
It was a contest in which scoring chances weren't scarce, but weren't overflowing either and it was crucial to convert when possible for the win. That's what Downers North (23-5) did.
With the score tied at 3 in the fourth, Rae Meents singled to right and moved to second on Melissa Manzo's sacrifice bunt. That set the stage for leadoff hitter Katie Polaski, who put a 2-2 pitch into left field for a triple, bringing home the winning run.
The Trojans got a much-needed insurance run in the sixth when Maggie Lenherr led off with a single to right. Meents moved her to scoring position on a sacrifice fly and Manzo doubled to center to score her.
"That 2-run advantage was huge. Montini had the top of their lineup coming up," said winning pitcher Savannah Rodriguez. "Melissa was called up from the JV and it was a big hit for her."
Montini (22-7) took a 1-0 lead in its half of the first when Alyssa Fikowski singled to left with one out. She later scored when Serena Almodovar was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing Fikowski home.
The Trojans responded immediately that inning to overtake the Broncos 2-1. Renee Bielawa singled and the next batter, Estelle Czech, nailed a double to score her. Czech came home on Rodriguez's basehit to left.
Montini took back the lead at 3-2 in the second. Emily Alexander singled and Elyse Spaccapaniccia was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Nicole Cuchran, whose single cleared the bases.
Downers North tied the game in the bottom of the third. Czech smashed a single to right and came home on a fielding error.
Rodriguez pitched 4 innings in relief in getting the win. She struck out seven, allowed no hits and set Montini down in order twice.
The Trojans have regular-season games remaining with St. Charles East, Hinsdale South and Schaumburg before competing in their own Class 4A regional next week. Downers North, seeded fifth in the Bolingbrook sectional, plays host to 11th-seeded Wheaton Warrenville South in semifinal play at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"Obviously, as long as we're healthy and we're getting there, I like our chances," said Downers North coach Eric Landschoot. "We're getting good pitching, solid defense and we're swinging the bat. If we continue to do that, we are in as good position as any team."
Other factors are important as well at this crucial time of the season.
"We've bonded as a team and we're communicating," MacKenzie Bernhard said.
Montini, the defending Class 3A champion, is seeded second in the Class 3A St. Francis sectional and will open regional play at Benet on Tuesday against 15th-seeded Chicago Noble Rauner. The Broncos close the regular season Friday against York and Saturday at the Bandit Showcase in Rosemont.
"Today was not a great effort. Downers Grove North played well and deserved to win. We'll need to clean some stuff up before next week," Montini coach Mike Bukovsky said.