Beecher gets the best of Peotone

Updated: May 5, 2011 10:40PM

Logic would dictate that if Beecher and Peotone meet again in the Class 2A Beecher Regional final, the pitching circle will have a much different look.

At least in regard to who’s in it.

But Beecher freshman Sarah Crews didn’t hurt her chances to get the call again after she went the distance Thursday and looked impressive doing so in the fourth-ranked Ladycats’ 4-2 victory over Peotone.

“It’s possible. Absolutely,” Ladycats coach Kevin Hayhurst said. “When she throws like that it’s tough not to have her ready to go again. We’ll have to see how things progress.”

Crews tossed a six-hitter and added an RBI double to her own cause.

Savannah Soppet cracked a triple and scored twice as Beecher improved to 23-1.

Alyssa Invergo and Brittney Campione both doubled and scored for Peotone (18-3).

Both Hayhurst and Blue Devils coach Bob Santella held back their staff aces for what was more or less a warmup for the postseason.

Crews and Peotone senior Corinne Carr had just one strikeout each, but were able to pitch out of most trouble spots.

“I found out I was pitching just before the first inning,” Crews said. “I was really excited because I knew I would have a great defense behind me.”

Peotone scored early when Invergo slashed a leadoff double down the left-field line and scored one out later on a groundout by Stacy Novak.

Having had one potential run erased at the plate in the top of the third via a throw by Blue Devils left fielder Allison Waliczek, the Ladycats took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Sam Nissen walked and scored on a triple by Soppet, who moments later came in when Jordyn Beck reached on an error.

Beecher’s final two runs in the sixth were a result of Soppet reaching on a dropped fly, an RBI double by Crews and an RBI groundout by Chelsea Gliva.

Soppet’s at-bat turned into a strange adventure that included her missing first base and trying to turn back but falling backward onto it. There also was a heated discussion between Hayhurst and Santella over whether a Beecher assistant had assisted Soppet while the play still was live, resulting in both being banished to their respective benches.

“I guess (the umpires) just didn’t like us talking to each other,” Hayhurst said later with a smile.

Crews, meanwhile, benefited from some sterling defense that included first baseman Alex Daviera making a nifty play to toss a Peotone runner out at the plate, Beck making a great running catch in center and shortstop Skyler Woods making a leaping catch on a line drive.

Peotone got to Crews again in the seventh when Campione doubled, Waliczek singled and Carr hit into an RBI fielder’s choice. The game ended when Crews got Alexis Dockins on a popout, stranding Invergo in the on-deck circle.

“They hit a couple of them hard, but (Carr) came out and did the (pitching) job good enough to win this game,” Santella said. “Physical errors cost us. Their freshman did a really good job today, too, on the hill.

“We’re going to play a little chess (strategy-wise) here for the next two weeks.”

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