Connolly repeats the feat
Mary Connolly couldn't recall ever facing the same opponent back-to-back days.
It didn't faze her a bit.
West Chicago's senior ace shut out Wheaton North for the second straight day, striking out 10 in 6-hitting the Falcons 5-0 on Thursday in Wheaton.
“In summer maybe I have done this, but not in high school. It's different,” Connolly said, “but with the weather there's nothing you can do about it. I'm really glad that our team can pull it together and make those adjustments where we need to.”
No. 12 West Chicago (14-6, 7-0 DuPage Valley Conference) has won seven straight games, all in the DVC with Connolly (12-4) on the mound, and will send her today against Glenbard East before a 9 a.m. makeup game Saturday at Naperville Central.
Connolly seems ready to go six straight days.
“I was really sore yesterday from throwing Monday and Tuesday, but today I was feeling really loose and really good,” Connolly said. “We're definitely finding our rhythm and it's really exciting, because I hate to lose.”
Just like it did Wednesday, West Chicago jumped on No. 17 Wheaton North early. Morgan Dastych reached on an error leading off the third, one out later Connolly walked on a full count and Jen Konchar drew a free pass to load the bases.
Rachael Venchus hit a comebacker to the pitcher, but the throw home was dropped and 2 runs scored. With two out Tarah Rayos hit a first-pitch single to right, making it 4-0.
“We took advantage of some mistakes, but that was a big two-out hit by Tarah to put 4 on the board instead of 2,” West Chicago coach Kim Wallner said. “It was nice to jump on them early.”
Venchus doubled in Konchar in the fifth for West Chicago's fifth run. The Wildcats had baserunners in all seven innings, keeping the heat on their opponent.
Wheaton North (9-8, 3-4) entered the week unbeaten in the DVC, but the wheels have come off with four losses in four days. It doesn't get any easier, with a home-and-home against Glenbard North the next two days.
“It's frustrating — we're just lacking confidence,” Falcons coach Karen Calabrese said. “We're spiraling out of control. Against a team like that with someone on the mound who doesn't give up runs easily, you just can't make mistakes like we did.”
Wheaton North did manage 8 baserunners off Connolly, Katie Thornton and Paige Evangelista both collecting 2 hits. The Falcons put runners on second and third in the third, but Connolly bore down to retire the next two batters.
“We have plenty of talent, but right now the kids are playing kind of timid. I don't know where the team is that was here last week,” Calabrese said. “I know it's hard when you've dropped a couple games and have a tough week like this, but they gotta bounce back and figure out how to get it done.”