Softball: Fenton pounds out another win
The moment was a bit of a blur for Fenton sophomore Claira Panos.
Then the adrenaline and the exhilaration kicked in.
In a classic softball showdown of ace and hitter, Lincoln Park pitcher Angelica Vazquez tried to sail a pitch past Panos.
"She threw me a strike right down the middle and I just went after it," Panos said.
Panos drilled the ball into deep right center for a grand slam that punctuated the Bison's 21-4 victory in four innings Tuesday in Bensenville.
Only the left field of Fenton's park is enclosed by a fence. The center- and right-field dimensions are open. Panos used her speed to round the bases after driving her hit deep.
"I never had a grand slam before, at least not in a high school game," Panos said.
She went 2 for 2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch. A third baseman, Panos finished with 5 runs batted and scored 3 runs as Fenton (5-0) maintained its torrid start to the season.
The Bison have scored double-digit runs in each of their games. The 21-run uprising against the Lions, a solid Chicago Public League program, marked the second consecutive game Fenton has reached that watermark.
"The atmosphere on this team is just great," junior outfielder Ashley Milano said. "Anytime one of us is up at the plate, everybody gets so excited and encourages us to do well, the chemistry and togetherness is really special about this team."
Fenton knocked out 10 hits and utilized 9 walks to break the game open. In their season debut the Lions displayed nerves by committing 6 errors.
Shortstop Isa Lozada scored 4 runs and drove in 2 runs by lacing a single and double. Catcher Alyssa Texta drove in 3 runs, the big shot a 2-run double in the second inning.
The only downside to the game was an injury to starting pitcher Cynthia Ibarra (2-0). She secured the victory by going two innings, recording 3 strikeouts and allowing just one baserunner.
In trying to protect herself by extending her arm on a slide, she injured her thumb, said coach Dave Mello.
Gianna Mendoza pitched the final two innings.
Just as he altered the calculus of the girls basketball team with his analytic driven style that privileges multiple 3-point attempts, relentless pace and multiple substitutions, Mello has sought to optimize his talent by generating offense from every possible angle.
The team scored 10 runs, 5 in each of the first two innings, with just 3 hits, creating opportunities off aggressive base running and looking to advance in all situations.
Milano had 3 of the Bison's 6 stolen bases.
Fenton plays a doubleheader at Danville on Wednesday. The team is eager to maintain its hot start.
"This is the most talent we have had since my first year, in 2008," Mello said. "That team won 24 games, and lost a sectional by 1 run. That started a run where we won four regional championships in five years.
"Our last regional title was in 2012, and we are trying to get the program back there. We only have two seniors. We are young, aggressive and have a lot of skilled young players. The team really loves playing together."