Ricci, Warren a hit on a very special occasion

For Warren junior Amy Ricci, Saturday’s softball game had extra significance.

For its “Swinging for a Cure” game against Palatine, its annual opponent for the contest to bring awareness to breast cancer, Warren chose Jeanette Ricci to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“My mom was diagnosed (with cancer) last February, and I am happy to say that she doesn’t have it anymore,” said Amy Ricci, who along with her teammates wore pink T-shirts. “It was a real tough time for (the family), but we fought through it, and now she is fine.

“(My teammates) have been supporting me,” she added. “Way in the beginning, it was just nice to have their support.”

Ricci supported starting pitcher Jessica Demski on Saturday, scoring what proved to be the winning run in Warren’s 2-0 victory. Demski allowed only 3 hits.

Warren improved to 15-3-1, while Palatine fell to 11-9.

The teams played scoreless ball until Ricci and Kelly Majewski began the bottom of the fourth inning with back-to-back doubles. Two batters later, Sam Belletini grounded out to second base, scoring Majewski.

Lauren Logan, Courtney English and Jamie Haze each singled for the Pirates, but neither got to third base.

Demski struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.

“I’ve been working hard this year,” Demski said.”I knew from pitching against (Palatine) last year that I had to be aggressive because they do have a real good team. I just came out with my best and I made sure that I was on top of my game. Our defense has been coming around and they did a great job backing me up.”

“(Jessica) pitched a great game today,” Warren coach Carri McGahan said. “She has real good control and she has really stepped up for us in key moments. She has become a leader on our team.”

It was the third time in a row that Palatine was the opponent for the game. Pirates coach Jeff Manz’s mother is a cancer survivor.

“We didn’t hit today and that was the difference,” Manz said. “We have to do a better job in pitch selection so that we can hit the ball hard, and we didn’t do that today.”

Palatine’s Megan Hedstrom scattered 6 hits, struck out two and walked one.

“She pitched well,” Manz said. “But if you can’t score any runs, then you can’t expect a pitcher to win, and we didn’t do a good job for her today.”