Too much Verdun, and Lisle's season done

Lisle knew the margin for error against Kirsten Verdun was thin.

Especially if Coal City hit like it did Monday.

The Coalers scored 6 runs in the first three innings, and Verdun shut out the Lions for the third time this season, earning a 6-0 victory at the Class 2A Romeoville supersectional at Lewis University.

"It wasn't so much domination on the mound this time as I would say it was their bats," said Lisle coach Jen Pomatto. "They are a good hitting team, top to bottom."

Verdun, a junior who has verbally committed to attend DePaul, had thrown a no-hitter and a one-hitter against Lisle during the Interstate Eight Conference season.

She was equally stingy during the third go-round, striking out 14.

But Lisle did have opportunities. Shelby Kretman singled with one out in the first but was stranded at second base. The Lions, who left four runners in scoring position, also received singles from Katie Harris, Stephanie Petkovsek and Colleen Drennan also had singles.

"We put the ball in play today," Pomatto said. "We talked about shortening up, putting the ball in play and making their defense work. I feel like we did that."

Coal City pounced on Lisle right out of the gate. After a leadoff single, Krista Watson lined the first pitch to the gap in left-center for a run-scoring double. Watson later scored on a fielder's choice for a 2-0 lead.

Watson doubled to nearly the identical spot in the third, igniting a 4-run Coalers outburst in which 10 batters went to the plate.

"I knew going in that if we could get some runs early off their pitcher, who is tough, Kirsten would be able to shut them down," said Coal City coach Brad Schmitt.

Verdun did the rest, leading Coal City to its first appearance at the state softball tournament. The Coalers play Stanford Olympia in the 2A semifinals Friday in East Peoria.

"It's very hard to beat a team three times," Verdun said. "They know what you have as a pitcher, just like I know how they hit. It was kind of an advantage and a disadvantage. I knew what to throw them."

Lisle saw its remarkable turnaround season come to a close. The 27-11 Lions enjoyed a 22-win improvement from a year ago. Better yet, they only lose two seniors to graduation.

"The two things we wanted the girls to take out of this was that nothing is guaranteed, and they can't be just satisfied with this," Pomatto said. "Yes, we're 27-11 - but in order to take that next step they have to work hard in the off-season. There's still a lot of room for improvement. We do have some work to do."