Corsairs lack behind Tack

Nazareth sophomore slugger Shannon Cawley deposited a Rachel Tack pitch on top of the portable batting cage beyond the left-field fence.

If that long home run wasn't daunting enough for Carmel's young softball team, then the unearned run Nazareth scored in the fourth inning probably was, as it gave the visitors a 1-run lead.

"A 1-run deficit feels like it's 10 runs at this point of the season the way we're struggling at the plate," Corsairs coach Jason Raymond said. "I think everyone feels that way - the players and coaching staff. We're trying to find a way to come out of it and trying to stay positive."

The unearned held up in the East Suburban Catholic Conference game, as Nazareth edged Carmel for the second time in three days, winning 3-2 in Mundelein on Wednesday.

That's the way it's gone for a Corsairs team that can't seem to provide veteran ace Tack with much run support.

Carmel (9-17, 4-9) mustered just 4 singles against Nazareth (11-13, 4-10) and pitcher Jill Vondrak, who shut out the Corsairs on Monday.

"We're struggling offensively," Raymond said. "All year it's been this way. A lot of it is due to varsity inexperience. We're very inconsistent because of that."

Raymond's only seniors are catcher Shea Crowley and shortstop Claire Anastos. He starts three freshmen - including left fielder Madaline Felipez, who had a single and a nice catch in foul territory by the fence - and two sophomores.

Tack's pitching isn't why Carmel has struggled to win consistently. The junior workhorse has thrown all but one inning for the Corsairs.

"She has been pitching fantastic all year long," Raymond said. "To her credit, she comes out and she keeps plugging away and making her pitches and keeping a positive attitude."

Carmel jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first thanks in part to an error, a passed ball and an RBI single by Anastos. Cawley's 2-run home run in the third pulled Nazareth even.

"For us, it was not a good defensive way to start the game," Roadrunners coach Kristen Stojetz said. "We never want to give the (opponent) momentum, especially on their home field. I felt we gave them that, but we rebounded nicely.

"That's the thing that we have to take away from today. We were down two against a very good pitcher, but we were able to battle back and come out with a win."