Sophomore Childs lifts Wildcats to win

Updated: May 5, 2011 8:36PM

Neuqua Valley softball coach Melissa Wilson had a few words with Megan Childs after the Wildcats’ game with visiting South Elgin on Thursday.

The sophomore, who has taken on the designated hitter role for Neuqua Valley this year, hit the game-winning two-run single in the Wildcats’ 6-5 win over the Storm.

So what did coach tell the young hero after the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division matchup?

“I told her she is really up for her hitting,” Wilson said. “At the beginning of the year, she didn’t get a lot of chances. We were up and down because of the weather, and yesterday (against Metea Valley), we got her in. She had some good contacts, so today, we wanted to get her in again. It’s all about consistency. I told her she needs to keep that up because that is what is going to keep her in the game...I’m proud of her.”

With the game tied at 4 in the bottom of the fifth, Jena Boudreau led off the inning with a double. Her pinch runner, Katie Cruse, moved to third when Brooke Mueller ended up on second after a South Elgin error. With two outs, Childs got them both home on her second single of the game.

“(The game-winning hit) felt pretty good because I’ve been struggling with my hitting,” Childs said. “All the positive energy in the dugout really helped me. We had a good warmup this morning, and Marisa (Donnelly) helped warm me up even further. It was fun.”

South Elgin (13-10, 6-6) started the game off with three runs on two hits in the first, including a hard-hit, two-run home run from No. 4 batter Alyssa Buddle. Shannon Conway also recorded an RBI single in the inning.

“For a freshman, (Buddle) is doing outstanding,” South Elgin coach Jason Schaal said. “That home run really boosted her confidence and kept us in the game.”

“We feel like we have been there a lot this year,” Wilson added on being down early. “These girls will fight. They always will.”

Neuqua Valley (11-4, 6-3) responded in the bottom of the first with an RBI single from Boudreau. The Wildcats later tied the game at 3 with a pair of runs in the second, thanks to a two-run double from No. 9 hitter Rebecca Lincoln.

The Storm took the 4-3 lead in the third when Kara Rodriguez reached home when Conway was safe on a Neuqua Valley error. Once again, the Wildcats were able to come back and tie the game in the fourth on a Kat Widup RBI single.

“I love the team’s ability to keep coming back,” Childs said. “That’s my favorite part.”

After the Wildcats’ big fifth inning, South Elgin’s leadoff batter, Katelyn Stonecipher, hit a big two-out solo home run in the sixth, but failed to get another run in. It was her fourth home run of the season for the four-year varsity player.

“I thought we played great today,” Schaal said. “Neuqua and Melissa are doing a great job this year. This is an excellent team for us to play.”

Boudreau, Neuqua Valley’s pitcher, improved to 7-4 after she struck out eight, gave up eight hits and walked three.

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