Metea Valley puts it together against West Chicago
It was opening day for the Metea Valley softball team Tuesday at West Chicago, and the Mustangs created a mold of a game they wouldn't mind repeating throughout the season ahead.
Metea got solid pitching and hitting to defeat the Wildcats 6-2.
"It was a good first step. We have a lot of ahead of us. We were strong today, but there are things we can improve on," said third baseman Lisa Harrington, who hit a home run in the seventh.
Metea took the lead immediately in the top of the first. Leadoff hitter Sydney Bajusz doubled to left center and came home on Harrington's one-out single to center.
West Chicago, participating in its season opener, tied the game in the second. Christina Trigueos led off with a walk and scored on Isabella Zentner's single to center. Metea left fielder Hailey Bacani made a pinpoint throw to get a runner at the plate for the third out.
The Mustangs took the lead for good in the third when Bajusz walked and scored on a wild pitch to move ahead 2-1. Bajusz was moved around the bases on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Archey and a groundball by Kara Leckinger.
Metea padded its advantage with a 3-run fourth inning.
Metea again got right to work with its hitter leading off the inning as Megan Arcivar doubled to right and came immediately home when the next batter, Emma Zenkel, also doubled. Later, Emily Finger walked and Bacani reached on a fielder's choice. Both scored on a dropped flyball.
Harrington's homer in the seventh, on a 1-1 pitch, ended the day for the Mustangs.
"I told myself to relax. I overadjusted and tried to hit it to right field," Harrington said.
Winning pitcher Elise Titiner went the distance, allowing five hits and striking out five. The West Chicago lineup went down in order during four innings.
"As the game goes on, I'm learning about the batters and where they can and can't be pitched to," Titiner said.
Metea coach Kris Kalivas said team chemistry is a plus this spring.
"The senior leadership has been phenomenal. They have instilled a positive culture, a culture of hard work that the younger players have embraced and where everyone wants to win," she said.
As for West Chicago, coach Kim Wallner said her team is a "work in progress."
"We have four freshmen and one sophomore starting for us. We have no returning starters. But I thought we competed well," she said. "We have some things to figure out."
West Chicago's second and final run of the afternoon came in the fourth when Trigueros doubled and scored on a fielding error.
The Wildcats play host to Burlington Central on Wednesday while the Mustangs return to action Thursday at Oswego East.