Connolly's clutch for West Chicago
Mary Connolly knows the margin of error is slim when matched up against a Wunderlich sister.
She pitched like it.
The West Chicago ace no-hit Naperville Central 3-0 on Monday at Pioneer Park, besting Alyssa Wunderlich's 15-strikeout performance.
Connolly faced Wunderlich's older sister Natalie, now at Eastern Illinois University, four times over the last two seasons. Monday was her first meeting against Alyssa in a high school setting, but she knew what to expect.
"The margin for error is small against them," Connolly said. "They're great pitchers, both of them. She rung us up today. She threw a great game."
There is little wiggle room in the DuPage Valley Conference race as well, but West Chicago (23-8, 9-3) is back in the driver's seat after Wheaton Warrenville South's 8-7 win over Glenbard North (20-7, 9-4). West Chicago is at Glenbard East today and hosts Naperville North Wednesday. Glenbard North hosts Naperville Central Thursday.
"We know what we have to do now to win conference," Connolly said.
Connolly (20-6) only had 2 strikeouts, but threw 7 innings in an efficient 64 pitches. She has allowed just 1 run in 3 starts since a 7-0 loss to Glenbard North.
"We have to stay tough and play every inning to the fullest," Connolly said. "I feel like I'm just focusing more. We started changing things up, me and (catcher) Kaity (Olson) and it worked today."
Naperville Central's (18-15, 7-6) best scoring opportunity came in the third trailing 1-0, when Jill Andreoni was plunked on the helmet with one out and Nicole Kappelman reached on an error.
Kelsey Gonzalez followed with a rocket up the middle that West Chicago shortstop Izzy Bruce speared and stepped on second for the force. Connolly got a come-backer to end the threat.
Connolly didn't allow a baserunner in any other inning.
"That was a tremendous, tremendous defensive play by Bruce," said Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum, whose team was shut out for the third straight game. "We might score on Kelsey's hit. At the worst it's 1-0 and we have the bases loaded."
West Chicago grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second. Olson doubled to left, stole third and scored on a high throw to third. In the sixth Bruce singled, moved to second on a Connolly sacrifice bunt and scored on Jen Konchar's line-drive single to center. Rachel Johnson then dropped an RBI double down the right-field line to make it 3-0.
"We put the ball in play when we needed to," West Chicago coach Emily Johnson said. "When we needed the hits, we got 'em. I don't think we've seen a pitcher like that all year. Her speed might have caught us off guard."
The 15 strikeouts was a season-high for Wunderlich (14-9).
"She was so dominant early that maybe the changeup to Olson was unnecessary," Nussbaum said, "but she was sharp. That's the best she's looked for a while."
WW South 8, Glenbard North 7: Kristy Santora went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and Claire Linebarger homered, as the Tigers (18-14, 7-6 DVC) won their fifth straight game and dropped Glenbard North into second place in the DVC. Jenny Nelson hit a pair of 2-run homers for Glenbard North, giving her 11 on the season. Panthers pitcher Lilly Fecho was injured in the third inning with a line drive to the head.
Montini 13, Walther Lutheran 0: Lara Mangialardi fired a no-hitter, striking out five, as the Broncos (18-15, 12-4 Suburban Christian Conference Blue) clinched at least a chair of the conference title.
Immaculate Conception 11, Wheaton Academy 2: Nina Vlahiotis went 4-for-4 with 3 RBI, part of a 19-hit attack, as the Knights (21-9, 14-2 Suburban Christian Conference Gold) clinched their first conference title since 1995. Katelynn Conenna homered and drove in 4.
Lake Park 6, Neuqua Valley 3: Sarah Koch and Alyssa Robison each went 1-for-3 with an RBI for the Lancers (24-6, 13-3 Upstate Eight Conference).