Softball: Mundelein comes back to beat Prospect
One swing of the bat can change the whole complexion of a ballgame.
Actually, it was two swings that went yard to help Mundelein pull out a 5-4 come-from behind nonconference softball win over visiting Prospect on Saturday morning in Game 1 of a doubleheader.
"Our bats kind of died in the middle of the game," said Mustangs coach Heather Ryan.
"But the bottom of the order really stepped up. It was the first time we've been behind late in a game and came back to win, which always helps the confidence."
One player who gained confidence-as well as a big sigh of relief-was pitcher Kira Buckner, who went the distance scattering 8 hits with 7 strikeouts and raised her record to 5-5.
Prospect came back to win Game 2 by a score of 14-5.
"I felt very relieved after we took the lead," said Buckner. "That was one of our best games we played as a team. But I can't do it without my teammates."
Prospect led 4-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth. Allison Lambert led off with a single and trotted home when, with two strikes, Elise Bernett took Prospect starter Claire Doherty deep over the left-center field fence for a 2-run shot to tie things at 4-4.
Then, with one out, outfielder Molly Podraza hit one to the same spot and over the fence for a solo dinger and a 5-4 Mundelein lead.
"Our hitters were selective and trying to hit balls they could drive," said Ryan. "And as far as Kira goes, we go. She's really improved in pressure situations."
Mundelein jumped to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Danielle Lambert roped a double to the fence in left-center field. She promptly raced home on a fielders choice by Kellie Shanahan.
But the Knights came back to take the lead 2-1 with 2 runs in the top of the third.
Alexandra Garnmeister smacked a single up the middle and later scored on another single by leadoff hitter Cassie Cunniff. Kathryn Keehn then made it 3 singles in a row with hers plating Cunniff.
"We just had the one bad inning but otherwise we hit the ball well," said Knights coach Krystina Mackowiak, whose team pumped out 15 hits in a win over Schaumburg a day earlier and collected 8 hits Saturday.
"We hung with them (Mundelein). Just a couple of timely hits got us."
Mundelein tied it 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the third when Danielle Lambert doubled and went to third on an error. She would then score on a fielders choice by Shananhan.
Prospect regained the lead 3-2 in the top of the fourth when Mad Borkowski walked with the bases loaded, plating Anna Linnemann who earlier singled.
The Knights had upped the lead to 4-2 with a run in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Cunniff singled and later scored on a single by Keehn.
Doherty pitched well in the losing effort. She scattered 6 hits with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
"We have a lot of new players and are just working on playing together," added Mackowiak.
In Game 2, the Knights (4-5) pounded out 20 hits. They were led by Cunniff (5-for-5, HR, 2B, RBI), Keehn (2 hits, HR, 2 RBI), Borkowski (3 hits, 2 HRs, 3 RBI), Amanda Pinter (2 hits, 2B. 2 RBI), Adeline Wantuch (2 hits), Anna Linnemann (2 hits, 2 RBI) and Emma Muehlenbeck (2 hits, 4 RBI). Emmalee Depa was the winning pitcher, allowing 5 hits with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Tess McKay had a 2-run homer for Mundelein.