Waubonsie Valley sweats out victory over Naperville Central
The Waubonsie Valley softball team was so close to something it wanted very badly Saturday at Naperville Central. And a nerve-wracking seventh inning was the final hurdle the Warriors cleared to get it.
Trailing 1-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Redhawks loaded the bases. However, winning pitcher Shannon Hohman got her ninth and final strikeout to clinch the win. The victory was especially sweet for those Warriors who returned from last season's squad that suffered three losses at the hands of Naperville Central including in a regional final.
"This is my fourth year on this team and we hadn't beat Central. They kicked our butts last year," said Hohman, who allowed just 3 hits. "Today, it was about buckling down and making the plays we know how to."
The thrilling bottom half of the seventh began when the Redhawks' Katie Lamich singled to center. Then with one out, Abbey Place reached on a throwing error. Then with two out, pitcher Julie Kestas walked and Savanna Schmitz was sent in to run for her. Then came the third out.
"I needed to be calm. I needed to relax. I was freaking out, but on the outside it was about being calm," Hohman said.
Waubonsie (7-2) scored its lone run in the third. Leadoff hitter Sabrina Calabrese connected on a well-placed ball that just made it out of the infield for her first of 3 hits. Audria Wagenknecht's groundball out moved Calabrese into scoring position and that set the table for Hohman, who hit a double right down the left-field line to plate Calabrese.
The Redhawks (3-1) got their first hit of the game in the second when Place singled to center. Lisa Tassi then doubled to center in the fourth.
"We practice and preach short-term memories," said Waubonsie coach Val Wood. "When the ball was thrown away in the seventh, it could have snowballed. But when I went out to the mound I said to them that you want this more than them and get out of the inning."
Besides praising Hohman and Calabrese, Wood said that senior Layne Thresh has made a successful move this season from shortstop to second base.
"Shortstop or second base. I just want to be on the field and work with my teammates to get wins," Thresh said.
Naperville Central pitcher Julie Kestas also had a strong outing, allowing just 6 hits and striking out 6.
"It was a great pitchers' duel. In 23 innings Julie has given up just 2 runs. Shannon pitched a great game. But it's tough to win with only 3 hits," said Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum. "We have a solid, veteran base, but we're still a team in a process."
Both teams resume action Monday. Naperville Central is at Oswego East and Oswego comes to Waubonsie. Both games start at 4:30 p.m.