Brennan’s double fuels Lisle win

Updated: May 28, 2011 6:32PM

Kellie Brennan hit a three-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift host Lisle to a 3-1 victory over St. Edward on Saturday in a Class 2A sectional final at Benedictine University.

“I was really nervous coming to bat with the bases loaded, said Brennan. “I just saw that first pitch and hit it. I’m really excited. This is my first time on the varsity and in the supersectionals.”

The game was scoreless until the top of the sixth when the Green Wave scored to break the deadlock. With Ashley Gradisher on first, McShane hit a ground ball to reach first on the force at second. Darcy Gaige ran for McShane and advanced to third on Kelsey Richmond’s double. Gaige scored on a passed ball by the Lions’ Grace Riley.

“We knew we had to score runs to win,” Lisle coach Jen Pomatto said. “I told the team to be patient. We had been hitting hard. I told the team I didn’t need them to hit home runs, we just need base runners.”

In the bottom of the sixth, Green Wave pitcher Sarah Field (16-10) gave up a leadoff walk to Melanie Early, Emma Buchholz got a base hit, and Riley reached first base on a swinging bunt to fill the bases. With the bases loaded, Brennan hit Field’s first pitch for a double to clear the bases and give the Lions a 3-1 lead.

“(Brennan) was hitting me inside the whole time,” Field said. “It was a good hit and there was nothing we could do about it.”

Bekka Houda (20-2) got the win for Lisle (27-4). This is the third year in a row that the Lions knocked the Green Wave (18-10) out of the playoffs.

“I’m really proud of our entire team,” St. Edward coach Jaci Corn said. “They played their hearts out. We gave them a good run for this one. I told the team to hold their heads up. They can’t be sad how they played today.”

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