Stevenson 9, Lake Forest 3

Stevenson catcher Annelise Docel was on deck Thursday when Tovah Schwartz grounded a foul toward Docel.

Docel was able to hurdle the ball, much to the enjoyment of the Patriots.

"I had my shin guards on so it was all good," Docel told her teammates.

It was a feel-good kind of game for the Patriots.

Less than 24 hours after a players only meeting, Stevenson routed Lake Forest 9-3 in a North Suburban Conference Lake Division game.

"There was some negativity and that's what we talked about at the meeting," said Patriots sophomore Allison Micucci. "Everyone was relaxed (today). There was no pressure. We just played."

When Lake Forest (13-9, 2-6) and Stevenson (14-9, 6-2) played Tuesday, 1 unearned run allowed by Stevenson was enough for a 1-0 Scouts victory.

Instead of another low-scoring game, the Patriots steadily strung hits together. Lake Forest pitcher Lauren LaDuke, who was so effective Tuesday, was lifted after three innings.

"We knew what to look for and we were able to drive the ball hard," Docel said.

By contrast, Lake Forest was unable to come through with the clutch hit.

"We've been in a hitting rut," said Scouts coach Susie Brugioni. "We just couldn't string together hits with runners on base."

Lake Forest scored all 3 of its runs in the third inning and had a runner on second with two outs. The Patriots got out of it when Courtney Belcastro made a tough running catch in right-center.

Belcastro also has played shortstop and left field for the Patriots.

"I feel like I have a shortstop out in right field," said Stevenson coach Larry Friedrichs.

Stevenson took control of the game with a 5-run second inning. Docel led off with a double, and the next three Stevenson hitters singled.

Lake Forest came right back with 3 runs, but the Patriots answered with 2 runs in the third and fourth innings.

The depth of Stevenson's lineup was on full display. The Nos. 5 through 9 hitters collected 9 of the 13 hits. Micucci had 3 singles, while Docel, Erica Castriano and Rebekah Ozga and each had 2 hits.

"There are years you can't wait to get back to the top of the order, but not with this lineup," Friedrichs said. "We've got different people that come through at different times."

Stevenson's Jordan Willis worked the first 4 innings to record the victory. Micucci pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief.