Connolly hits, pitches West Chicago past Glenbard North
Josh Sanew has seen enough of Mary Connolly this season.
“She is one of the top players in the entire state,” the Glenbard North softball coach said after the West Chicago four-year ace carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of the teams’ Class 4A Glenbard North regional championship Saturday morning. “I’m just glad she is going to graduate.”
The DePaul-bound star was once again front and center for the Wildcats, blasting a tape-measure home run in the top of the first inning for all the offense West Chicago would need in its 3-0 victory.
With its ultimate rubber-game win over its DuPage Conference Valley rival, fifth-seeded West Chicago (21-10) advances to meet top-seeded Elk Grove on Tuesday at the Schaumburg sectional.
Prior to Connolly entering high school, West Chicago had one regional title in program history.
With her 2-hit gem on Saturday, the Connolly victory was her third regional-championship triumph in four years.
Fourth-seeded Glenbard North had its campaign close out at 20-6.
There were two outs when Connolly strode to the plate in the top of the first.
Connolly parked a no-doubter well over the left-field fence.
“We just came to play today,” Connolly said. “It gives us a lot of momentum going into the sectionals.”
West Chicago coach Kim Wallner said the Connolly blast had a soothing effect on her squad.
“I think the fact we got the run early helped relax us,” Wallner said. “I think one of the keys to the game was that we were able to put the ball in play.”
Connolly was also in the middle of the Wildcats’ 2-run third-inning that gave West Chicago further breathing room.
Both runs were unearned as Jessica Wood had an RBI single for the Wildcats, and Connolly, who had singled earlier in the inning, scored on Rachel Venchus’ infield groundout.
“I’d like to have that inning back defensively,” Sanew said. “There is a huge difference between being down 1-0 and 3-0.”
West Chicago touched up Glenbard North southpaw Lilly Fecho for 9 hits on the day.
Glenbard North has as potent an offense as any in the area, but Connolly changed speeds brilliantly in not allowing any hits over the first five-plus innings.
The right-hander did allow a pair of walks, but more than compensated with 9 strikeouts.
“They’re a great hitting team, regardless of who’s pitching,” Connolly said of the fearsome Panthers lineup. “(Glenbard North is) our biggest rival.”
“They probably lead the area in home runs,” Wallner said of Glenbard North. “We have a lot of respect for their hitting. We kept them off-balance.”
Sydney Benz ended the Connolly no-hit bid with a sharp single to left with two outs in the sixth, and freshman classmate Heather Sperlazzo had the Panthers’ other basehit with one out in the seventh.