Maine West rolls to regional title
One season. One regional crown.
Those are the numbers for Maine West rookie softball coach Amy Gonzales who watched her first Warriors team post a 13-3 victory in six innings over No. 6 Niles North in the championship game of the Niles North regional championship.
It is the third regional title in school history for Maine West, which won its first under former coach Mike Murin in 2003 and 2008.
The No. 2-seeded Warriors (24-10) advance to Thursday’s 4:30 p.m. semifinal of the Niles West sectional and will meet No. 2 Glenbrook North.
Maine West junior ace Ariel Valles threw a 4-hitter on Saturday to improve to 19-7.
She also had a base hit and scored a run as the Warriors defeated Niles North for the third time this season.
Other offensive leaders for West were Angela Cruz (4-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Brie Montmarquette (2-for-3, double, 2 runs) and Hanna Udischas (2-for-3, double, 2 runs, 2 RBI).
Pinch hitter Caroline Baird contributed a hit, 1 run an RBI.
“It was another great pitching performance for Ariel,” Gonzales said. “The defense and offense really stepped up, especially Angela Cruz who had a great day at the plate.”