St. Viator puts on an all-ages show

These are some young Lions.

St. Viator’s softball team features all sophomores in the infield except for senior shortstop Alex Flasch.

There is one senior in the outfield, Erika Kreiner who plays right. The other two outfielders are juniors.

Catcher Martha Hayes is a sophomore.

And the youngest Lion was on the pitcher’s mound Tuesday at Wheeling.

Freshman Krystal Harris made it crystal clear that she has a profound impact on the squad, too.

Not only was the 15-year-old southpaw the winning pitcher, but Harris also had the game-winning RBI with her single to center in the top of the seventh inning with two outs.

Harris then retired the side in order in the bottom half of the inning as St. Viator posted a 4-3 triumph in the nonconference game.

“We’re a young energetic team, and that really helps,” said Harris (3-2), who went 2-for-4 as the Lions’ leadoff batter and tossed a 7-hitter while collecting 3 big assists in the final two innings. “My defense helps me a lot. It’s good to know you have them to back you up.”

Flasch was at her best. The Maryville-bound slugger produced 6 assists and 1 putout in the first three innings and finished with 9 assists for the game.

“Alex is really exciting to watch,” said Lions coach Dan Twarog. “She gets to a lot of balls that other people might not. And her arm is out of this world. Batters will think they’ve got first base and all of a sudden Alex throws them out.”

Wheeling junior center fielder Sara Kern showed why she is a top defensive player, too, as well as hitter (3-for-3).

Kern made a spectacular diving grab to her left to rob sophomore third baseman Gina Mastrodomenico for the second out of the first inning.

But the Lions’ next two batters found the right gaps as Flasch tripled to the left center fence and came home on Sam Hogan’s double to about the same spot.

Viator (7-9) extended the lead to 2-0 in the third when Flasch (2-for-3) singled home Mastrodomenico, who had walked with two outs and got to second on a passed ball.

Wheeling (2-9) tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth.

With the bases loaded, freshman Nette Howard (2-for-3, 3 RBI) doubled to left-center scoring Kern (doubled to same spot earlier in the inning) and Ashley Hafertepe.

The Wildcats edged ahead 3-2 in the sixth when Kern led off with a ground-rule double (the ball slid under the center field).

Hafertepe followed with a single giving the hosts runners at second and third with no outs.

After a groundout to Harris where the runners held, Howard came through with an RBI single to center for the go-ahead run.

Harris then got the next batters on groundouts to Mastrodomenico and Flash.

“Krystal did a great job,” Twarog said. “She has all year. She plays center field and pitches.

“This was a team effort. We got up 2-0 and then when we fell behind 3-2, the girls said ‘We’re not going to let them win’. It’s great Krystal happened to get opportunity to get the hit that put us ahead again.”

Sophomore second baseman Tess Kaiser began the decisive inning with a single to right center. Kreiner then reached on an infield error which gave Viator runners on second and third with no outs.

Junior left fielder Ally Rinka’s groundout to third brought home Kaiser to tie the game before Harris’ two-out game winner.

“It’s been the story of our season,” said Wheeling coach Mike Caringella. “We are playing close games but making that one mistake that costs us.

“All the girls are working hard in the batting cages and it’s showing. But we make that one error every game. If we can cut down the mistakes, these losses will becomes wins.”

Wildcats sophomore ace Katie Quagliano (2-7) struck out three while throwing a 6-hitter.

Kern has reached base seven straight times, including 2 home runs, 2 doubles, a single and 2 walks in the Wildcats’ last two games.

“Sara is on a hot streak,” Caringella added. “She works real hard. She comes early to hit and it shows in the games. She has been crushing the ball.”

Viator travels to Carmel today after falling 7-3 to the Corsairs on Monday in Arlington Heights.

“We have a very very young team,” Twarog said. “We are building toward the end of the season and looking forward to the years to come because we have very good talent here.”