Softball: Naperville Central comeback catches Metea Valley

After what happened the previous day and through three innings on Thursday, the Naperville Central softball team was in need of a little fun.

Since hitting and rallying can indeed produce good times, the Redhawks (5-4, 2-1) managed some late runs and some late fun in a come-from-behind 11-7 defeat of visiting Metea Valley. Naperville Central got roughed up by Neuqua Valley 13-3 on Wednesday and dug itself a 6-2 hole Thursday, but a 5-run fifth tied the game at 7-7 and 4 runs - all after two outs - in the sixth completed the impressive comeback.

"It was a domino effect," said Redhawks catcher Abby Place, whose leadoff double in the sixth set the stage for the go-ahead run. "We just kept going. And hitting's fun and we do better when we are having fun."

Early on it was the Mustangs who were having the most fun, especially leadoff hitter Sydney Bajusz, who was 3-for-3 with 4 RBI in the first three innings. She singled to start the game and scored the first run on a single by Kara Leckinger.

A 2-run home run over the wall in center in the second inning was followed by a 2-run single in the third as Metea Valley (4-5, 1-2) jumped ahead 6-1 after 2⅓ innings.

But Redhawks freshman pitcher Halle Arends, who entered with the bases loaded and no outs in the third in relief of Staci Stark, allowed just one run in her 5 innings and allowed her team a chance to fight back.

"I will say that Halle Arends was great today," Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. "In 5 innings pitched she gave up one run and kept them within distance. I thought she was awesome today."

The Mustangs didn't impress their coach.

"Seven runs has to be enough to win that ballgame," said Mustangs coach Kris Kalivas, whose team claimed its first DVC win by beating Naperville North on Wednesday. "Our offense did everything we can ask them to do."

Naperville Central managed the big offensive outburst even while its two hottest hitters - Lindsay Gonzalez and Caitlyn Patton - went hitless. Meredith Siambekos had 3 hits and a walk and scored 4 runs, while Izzy Gomez and Claire Busch, the team's Nos. 7 and 8 hitters, combined to reach base seven times.

"We kept it positive," said Gomez, who lined a single to center to score Place in the sixth with what proved to be the winning run. "We didn't let ourselves get down. We just came out with some hits and everyone just kept hitting and hitting. We were feeding off each other and the dugout got crazy."

The comeback win has Siambekos ready to get back on the diamond.

"It's awesome," she said of the team's deep batting order. "We've said this before, we're all good hitters, but it's a matter of it coming around and getting it down. It was awesome to see today. I can't wait to see what's coming up next. We're excited."