Softball: Glenbard South leans on fundamentals to beat WW South
What Glenbard South did Saturday at Wheaton Warrenville South was simply play textbook softball to earn a 4-2 victory.
The Raiders (11-2) belted just five hits, but they included a home run, 2-run double and an RBI double. Winning pitcher Daniella Little allowed just two hits and struck out seven.
"As I said to them (in the postgame meeting), I couldn't be more pleased," said Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda. "It would have been nice to score a couple of more runs when you have the lead."
Little had a no-hitter through three innings, allowing just one baserunner and setting the Tigers (12-6) down in order in the first and third innings. She allowed home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, retired the side in the sixth and allowed another baserunner in the seventh.
"(Little) hit her spots and just chipped away and Jocelyn Leerschen called a great game," Fonda said.
Little gave credit to the Raiders' defense for their contributions in Glenbard South getting the victory. In addition to the two homers, the Tigers hit eight balls to the outfield, some close to or right at the fence.
"A lot of things were going on and the fielders did a great job of getting the ball. They had my back," she said.
The Raiders jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in their half of the first inning. Senior Mady Carli led off with a single to left and classmate Kate Mora walked. That set the stage for Little, who doubled to center, scoring them both.
Then with two outs, Grace Wallner also doubled to center, scoring Little.
Little deposited a 2-2 pitch over the fence for Glenbard South's final run. Fonda said Little's home run is icing on the cake for a strong hitter who can consistently move runners over but doesn't send the ball airborne all the time.
"Daniella can put the ball in play. Mady Carli is our fastest player and if (Daniella) can put the ball on the ground, Mady has a good chance of scoring," the Glenbard South coach said.
WW South had one baserunner during the first three innings with Katie Weisheit being hit by a pitch in the second. Then with two outs in the fourth, Abby Struebing hit a homer to left. Teammate Megan Adamek took an 0-2 pitch into orbit the following inning to make it 4-2.
Tigers starting pitcher Izzy Fawcett got on track after the rough first inning. She retired the side in the second. After Little's home run in the third, she retired the side in the fourth and surrendered just Carli's second single of the game in the fifth. Kacie Vlach came on in the final two innings and allowed no hits and no baserunners.
"I thought Izzy was hitting her spots and just settled down," said WW South Jeff Pawlak.
The Tigers coach said his team's hitting was not at its best.
"I didn't think we were very disciplined. (Little) was throwing the riseball and we didn't stay off of it," he said.