Softball: Young Wheeling falls to Regina

She may only be a junior but Emmie LaCaeyse has quite a bit of seniority on her Wheeling softball team this spring.

LaCaeyse is the Wildcats' pitcher. In addition to her rookie catcher Jojo Stepak, LaCaeyse is surrounded by four other freshman on the field.

LaCaeyse and the Wildcats played their second straight game on their home field on Tuesday, dropping an 8-3 nonconference decision to Regina.

But with such a young team, Wheeling coach Mike Caringella knows things will only get better and he likes what he sees.

"Even though we gave eight runs, the difference from where Emmie was last year and to this year is like day and night," Caringella said. "She is throwing strikes. She is battling. We're going to get better. We just have to get some games under our belt."

Regina sophomore pitcher Emma Delaney, making her season debut on the mound, was also throwing strikes. She ended up with 10 strikeouts while tossing a 3-hitter.

"She was fantastic," said Panthers first-year coach Julie Venn, a former standout shortstop at Deerfield High School. "She hit her spots and I bet she was up in the count 90 percent of the time.

"She had a lot of 0-2 counts and was putting herself in a good spot to win each battle."

"They had a good pitcher." Caringella said. " They're a good team and we'll be OK. We have a good group of girls. They're athletic. We're very young and it's only our second game."

In the Wildcats' first game on Monday, LaCaeyse struck out four while throwing a 6-hitter in a 7-5 win over Niles North.

She struck out six on Tuesday.

"I like trying to be a leader and especially because I'm the pitcher," LaCaeyse said. "No matter where I was on the field, I'd still probably try to lead. We started hitting a little late. We've just got to get the bats going the whole game."

The Wildcats (1-1) jumped ahead 2-0 in the second inning thanks to freshman Danni Moser.

Her triple to right-center field drove home Peyton LaCaeyse, who had singled to center. Peyton LaCaeyse then scooted home on a passed ball.

Wheeling's third hit in the game came in the sixth inning when Emmie LaCaeyse doubled to left to score Nikki Niznik, who had reached on an error.

Regina (1-3) scored 3 runs in the top of third to take the lead for good.

Cleanup hitter Maddy Peace went 2-for-3 with a double for the Panthers while Kathryn McDarrah, McKenzie Johnson and Liv Funk also had 2 hits for the girls from Wilmette.

"Oh gosh, it's good to get that first win," said Venn, a travel softball coach directing her first high school program. "It's good to get it over with."