Bartlett's Kay takes the full cut in win over Neuqua Valley

Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith didn't employ the usual softball strategy.

Then again, Elizabeth Kay isn't your usual hitter.

After Tia Filishio legged out an infield hit to open the top of the fifth inning for the Hawks in a scoreless game at Neuqua Valley, Kay stepped to the plate.

Rather than flash the bunt sign to Kay, Wolfsmith allowed his team's leadoff hitter to swing -- and she jumped all over the first pitch, crushing a double into the right-field gap to enable Filishio to score the first run of the game.

Bartlett wound up breaking loose for 5 runs in the fifth. The offensive outburst propelled the Hawks to a 5-2 triumph over Upstate Eight Conference foe Neuqua Valley Wednesday afternoon in Naperville.

Neuqua Valley coach Michelle Schmidt was asked if she was surprised to see Kay swing in the customary bunting situation.

"Yes, but he knows his hitters better than I do," Schmidt said.

For Wolfsmith, it was a nobrainer to have Kay take a whack at the ball.

"Elizabeth's hitting about .600," he said. "She has 3 home runs this year. She's going to Illinois State on a full ride. You know, she's swinging the bat."

Kay wasn't surprised that Wolfsmith didn't ask her to lay down a sacrifice.

"He doesn't usually have me bunt a lot during games, so I wasn't too surprised," she said. "I was ready for it if it came, but it didn't."

That was fine with Kay.

"I like to hit," the junior catcher said with a smile.

Though Kay was thrown out trying to advance to third on her double on the throw home, Bartlett (4-1, 2-0) didn't stop swinging as Callie Dennison followed with a double of her own. Later, Rachel Anello knocked in a run with a dribbler up the first-base line, Concetta Lampugnano delivered an RBI single and Alexis Gordon cracked a 2-run double.

The big inning provided more than enough offense for winning pitcher Lauren Wydra (3-1).

Neuqua Valley (0-3, 0-1) nicked Wydra for 2 runs in the sixth inning and 6 hits overall, but the senior ace wound up with a season-high 16 strikeouts.

Colleen Hohman (0-2) took the loss.

Lampugnano was 3-for-4 including a double, while Filishio went 2-for-3.

For the Wildcats, Kandice Gustafson had an RBI single and Summer McKenzie went 2-for-3.