Lein, Jacobs blank Crystal Lake South
By her own admission, McKayla Lein was extremely nervous before pitching against Crystal Lake South in Wednesday’s Class 4A Huntley regional softball semifinal game.
Lein certainly didn’t let nerves hinder her performance.
The sophomore left-hander was simply outstanding in the pitchers circle, tossing a 5-hit shutout as second-seeded Jacobs knocked off third-seeded Crystal Lake South 4-0.
Lein, who struck out 2 without allowing a walk, helped her cause with 6 assists. She also drove in a run with an infield ground out. Jacobs made only 1 error behind Lein.
“I was really nervous before the game,” said Lein. “It was my first regional game and I wanted to do well and help my team win. I was throwing strikes and my dropball was really working. I got a lot of grounders and my defense was great.”
Jacobs (22-14) will take on top-seeded Cary-Grove in the 9 a.m. regional final on Saturday.
Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer was pleased with Lein’s effort Wednesday.
“McKayla pitched a great game,” said Bauer. “She mixed her pitches well and she fielded her position very well. I knew she was nervous, but she handled her nerves well. She also swung the bat well.”
The Gators, who were hurt by 4 errors, end the 2012 campaign with a 22-11 mark.
Jacobs, which successfully executed 4 sacrifice bunts, got on the scoreboard in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Nicky Chapa. Jacobs then scored an unearned run in the fourth and added 2 insurance runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Kaitlynn Woloszyk and an infield groundout by Lein.
“We did a great job of getting the bunts down and we moved runners over when we had to,” said Bauer. “Our situational hitting and our approach at the plate was excellent. I am very proud of the way we played in all aspects of the game. It was a total team effort. Everybody who played contributed to the win in some way.”
South freshman Hailee Massie pitched well in a losing cause for the Gators. Massie allowed 4 runs, only 1 earned, on 4 hits. Massie struck out 2 while walking 3.
“Hailee Massie pitched good enough to win,” said South coach Scott Busam. “It came down to mistakes. Jacobs made the plays and we didn’t. Jacobs, absolutely deserved to win this game. This was not our finest moment as a team.”