Softball: Antioch's strategy yields NLCC title

Antioch sophomore pitcher Jerianne Bonaguidi claims her curveball is "nasty."

However, is it really a curveball?

"Maybe it's a slider,'' Bonaguidi said. "My change-up was working."

Bonaguidi lost her no-hitter to the first hitter in Grayslake North's lineup. Catcher Meg Delahunty laced an opposite-field double.

North slugger Grace Brown was up next for the Knights. Antioch Anthony Rocco told the umpire to walk Brown. He would do that three more times in this Northern Lake County Conference battle.

"She hit 3 homers in 3 at-bats against Grant,'' Rocco said. "We wanted to win this game."

Grayslake North (17-8, 9-4) loaded the bases twice, but Bonaguidi each time wriggled out of trouble. Antioch scored three times in the fifth inning and won the conference title with a 3-1 win at cold McMillan field in Antioch.

Former Grayslake North star pitcher Lea Corcoran, now North's coach, wasn't all that surprised to see Brown (18 homers) walked four times intentionally.

"There wasn't much offense in this game,'' Corcoran said. "But what a great run we've had. We won 12 games in a row. I'm not disappointed. Antioch is a great team."

After a double steal put the Knights ahead, both starters, including North's Emily Mack, settled in. In fact, Mack took a 2-hit shutout to the fifth inning. Both hits were off the bat of Antioch catcher, Deighton Butenschoen.

"Their pitcher was tough,'' Rocco said.

The winning rally started at the bottom of the Antioch order. Kayla Burkhart opened the frame with a clean single. Avery Malicki dropped a bunt down, and the North defense made a mistake. A few wild pitches later and the Sequoits jumped out front. Shortstop Piper Foote brought home a run on a sacrifice fly.

"We like to think our whole lineup can contribute,'' Rocco added. "All nine kids in the lineup can hit."

Antioch (21-6. 12-2) will host its own regional next week as the top seed.

North battled in its last at-bat. After the fourth walk to Brown, Faith Standenski blooped a hit to right field. Bonaguidi got the next two hitters to fly out to end the game.

"I really love all the support I get from my teammates,'' Bonaguidi said.