Softball: Splitgerber's timely hitting sparks Conant to win over Stevenson

Sure it was cold for softball on Saturday morning in Hoffman Estates.

But that doesn't mean the bats can't be hot.

And for Conant, no one had a hotter bat at the end than Tia Splitgerber.

The sophomore first baseman tripled to center field to help give her team a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth then produced an RBI single to right in the seventh to give the Cougars (2-1-2) their winning margin of 8-6 in the nonconference test against visiting Stevenson (3-4).

"I was happy to see that out of Tia," said Conant coach Allie Bauch. "Her bat was definitely on fire. She has that type of energy that is super contagious."

Winning pitcher Natalie Spaitis (2-1-2) threw the final six innings and sealed the decision with her tenth strikeout to catcher Ashleigh Simmons.

Cougars sophomore Olivia Hopkins, making her first start, struck out two in the first inning.

"After the game we said it literally took all ten of us who were here," Bauch said. "That's exactly what we are working on, especially in nonconference games like this. We want to get everyone contributing and that's what we saw, so it was awesome."

Stevenson jumped ahead 5-2. A triple (Michaela Duffy), double (Elle Ruchim) and Haley Langer's groundout RBI sparked 2 runs in the first inning while junior Megan Orgler had a 2-run single and Annie Grisamore an RBI single in the second.

The Cougars tied it at 5-5 with a 3-run fifth, getting a 2-run double to right center by Spaitis and sophomore Liv Mickelson's RBI single to center, all with two out.

"I think the key is that we always say we are 'one' " Spaitis said. "We fight back as one. We lose as one and we win as one. And today we won as 'one.' "

"A win like this just keeps us up and keeps us positive," said Splitgerber, who went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

Orgel's home run (the Patriots' first of the season) tied the game at 6-6 in the top of the sixth before Conant got the 2 runs in the bottom of the inning.

"Our girls battled well," said first-year Patriots coach India Steward. "In the past, when we've been challenged, we tended to crumble but they did good this time answering and making sure they fought to the last inning. I was proud of them."

Duffy (2-for-3, triple, double) and Orgler (3-for-3, 2 RBI) were the Pats' multiple hitters.

"That was huge for Megan (Orgler)," Steward said. "She had to step up (the Pats were missing a player due to illness) so that was amazing. I was really pleased with everyone's approach at the plate. They came with a positive approach and were ready to attack."

Senior Olivia Ringham (5 innings with 6 strikeouts for the right-hander) and freshman Aubrey Jepson handled the pitching for the Pats.

Rya Patel (2-for-3, RBI), Simmons and Isabella Portogallo also had hits for Conant. Mickelson 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

"Liv has been working hard to stay consistent at the plate," said Bauch, whose former Conant hall of fame coach CathyAnn Smith was on hand to watch the Cougars' victory. "I'm so proud of her. We are working to compete each inning and if you look at the scorebook, we did that. We have a tough week (Barrington, Fremd and Schaumburg) ahead so we get right back at it."