Defense lets St. Edward down in loss to Marengo

St. Edward was hanging tough with Class 3A power Marengo, but then the Green Wave's defense faltered and Marengo took advantage of every miscue.

The Green Wave committed 4 costly errors, 2 in the third inning and 2 more in the fourth, allowing Marengo to score 7 unearned runs and eventually roll to an 11-2 nonconference softball win Thursday at Marengo.

For the game the Indians (27-5) scored 9 unearned runs but also pounded out 14 hits.

Marengo sophomore Mariah Dionne allowed the Green Wave (20-8-1) just 5 hits while striking out 11 and walking just 1.

"We have to tighten up the defense," said St. Edward coach Jaci Corn. "The errors killed us. Once they happened, Marengo had a huge advantage and kept ripping the ball. If we get the outs we should have we're in the game all the way."

Marengo scored an earned run in the first inning, Dionne's single scoring Leah Secor, who led off with a walk and went to second on Jessica Turner's groundout.

The Indians then added their only other earned run in the second on a solo home run from Rebecca Schultz to lead off the second.

St. Edward showed some life in the top of the third, tying the game.

Emily Stapay led off the inning with a solo home run to right field and after a groundout, Megan Strong drew a walk and stole second. With two outs, Lindsay Zdroik singled down the left-field line to score Strong with the tying run.

But that's all the offense St. Edward could muster against Dionne and over the next two innings the Green Wave made 4 errors, allowing the Indians to score 8 unearned runs.

Zdroik took the loss for the Wave, which is now off until next Wednesday when they play Aurora Central Catholic in the semifinals of the Class 3A Glenbard South regional.

"When we did hit the ball today we hit it hard," said Corn. "And we did stop the bleeding finally. It could have been a 4 ½ inning game but we did take it seven."