Softball: Neuqua Valley pulls even with WW South in DVC standings
There is plenty of time remaining for the DuPage Valley Conference softball championship to be decided.
But it took an interesting turn on Monday afternoon at Neuqua Valley.
The Wildcats crushed 2 home runs and connected on an RBI double and 2-run triple to prevail 6-3 over Wheaton Warrenville South in Naperville.
Both teams are tied atop the DVC at 10-1. Each squad has five conference games remaining. Neuqua (16-8 overall), beginning Tuesday, has home games against Naperville Central and Wheaton North and road battles at Naperville North, Lake Park and Glenbard North.
WW South (14-7) will host Lake Park on Tuesday, followed by home games against Naperville Central and Waubonsie Valley and road games at Metea Valley and Naperville North.
It should come as no surprise that as Monday's contest approached it was on the minds of both teams, especially Neuqua.
The Wildcats considered it crucial to use the knowledge learned in April 24's 2-1 defeat at WW South.
"We lost the last time, but we stayed confident because it was so close," said winning pitcher Zoe Herdman.
She struck out eight over seven innings this time.
And she helped her cause at the plate with an RBI double in the second and a 2-run triple in the third.
The Tigers struck first in their half of the first. Leadoff hitter Aerin Moberg singled to right and stole second and third. She was safe on a play at the plate that put Kaitlyn Bresingham on base with a fielder's choice.
Neuqua's Abby Meeks started the second inning by reaching on an infield hit and she scored on Herdman's double.
The Wildcats' bats really got hot in the fourth. Leadoff hitter Mikaela Domico singled to right. Then with two outs, Meeks was hit by a pitch. Herdman followed with her triple, and that scored Meeks and Domico.
The next batter, Paige Price, put a pitch over the fence to bring Herdman home and Neuqua led 5-1.
"Our whole team are really strong hitters. Their pitcher did well the last time. If you allow the pitcher to get in your head, it's going to hurt you at the plate," Price said.
The Tigers struck for two runs in the fifth. With one out Bresingham doubled to left with the following batter, Carly Briggs, doubling her home. Briggs scored on Megan Adamek's basehit.
The Wildcats' final run of the contest came in the fifth courtesy of Danielle Olson's homer.
"Going into the game, we talked about being confident and having discipline at the plate and come out strong," said Neuqua coach Christina Chrencik. "This was a very big game. (The Tigers) are a strong team with a strong pitcher (Kacie Vlach)."
WW South finished with 10 hits and had multiple runners on base in all but two innings. Coach Jeff Pawlak said keeping opportunities away from a team like Neuqua is crucial to victory.
"We gave up a 4-spot (in the third inning) and you can't do that against a team you know can hit," he said.