Softball: WW South gains edge on Neuqua Valley in DVC race
Tuesday's Neuqua Valley at Wheaton Warrenville South softball game was a battle of perfect teams in DuPage Valley Conference play.
The game lived up to the records of the squads, going down to the very end with WW South prevailing 2-1 and now sitting alone atop the conference standings.
Winning pitcher Kacie Vlach said the Tigers (11-4, 7-0) were anticipating this game in recent days.
"They were undefeated and we knew they were really good competition," Vlach said. "We've been working really hard in practice and hitting before games."
Vlach gave up just four hits and struck out seven in getting the complete-game win.
"Kacie was keeping them off-balance with her changeup. It's the best she has thrown her changeup all season," said WW South coach Jeff Pawlak.
While the Tigers got solid pitching, so did the Wildcats (11-6, 5-1). Zoe Herdman allowed just two runs on seven hits and struck out four.
"We knew their pitching was really good and we have been focusing on hitting, trying not to get down on counts," said WW South catcher Sami Carr, whose two singles scored both of the Tigers' runs.
One run scored in the second and the other in the fourth with Carly Briggs leading off each inning with a single to left and scoring on Carr's hits. Carr finished with three hits total.
Vlach and the WW South defense set the Wildcats' lineup down in order during three innings and allowed only one runner during two others. She was left stranded.
The first of Neuqua's four hits came in the opening inning as Carina Martinez singled to left with one out. In the third Mikaela Domico doubled to left-center. The Wildcats didn't get another runner until the sixth when Martinez reached on a fielding error.
Neuqua rallied in the top of the seventh. Herdman led off with a single to left and stole second. Paige Price's groundout moved Herdman to third, and with two out Chloe Steinhaus singled to left, scoring Herdman.
Neuqua coach Christina Chrencik was pleased with how the Wildcats rallied in the seventh inning in a game between two excellent teams.
"They had a solid pitcher on the mound. The way we powered through the seventh will make us stronger throughout conference and the season," she said.
There's still plenty of time to go in the season and focus on the standings will continue. The Tigers have one more league game this week, a Friday home contest against Naperville North.
Neuqua, meanwhile, will host Lake Park on Wednesday and Glenbard North on Friday.
"We're improving. Everyone is contributing. We have a different lineup every day," Pawlak said. "This group is so good. They are very coachable and they are having fun."