Lake Park's bats stay hot

Lake Park continued its torrid hitting, pounding out 14 hits to beat Plainfield South 9-2 Monday in a Class 4A supersectional at Benedictine University.

Ten players had hits for the Lancers (33-4), who have won 20 straight games and advanced to the state semifinals for the third time in six years.

“We were killing the ball today,” Lake Park center fielder Vicki Tomaka said. “[Coach Cray] Allen told us to come out strong, [that] we have to get to them while they were down and nervous.”

Lake Park wasted no time, ripping Cougars starter Alyssa Schrader for four runs and five hits in the bottom of the first. Lynsey Ciezki and Carly Willert both hit Schrader’s legs with line drives and then stole second.

Catcher Alexis Munaco (3-for-4, two RBI) singled home Ciezki with one out and Tomaka (2-for-3, three runs, two RBI) followed with a two-run double. A single by Samantha Becker made it 4-0.

Schrader (20-6) cut the gap to 4-2 when she singled home Melissa Reyes and Jackie Frey in the third inning, but she was picked off of second base by Munaco to end the inning. Lake Park then scored two in third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth to knock out Schrader.

“We knew she threw low and we practiced on that,” Munaco said. “It helps us a lot if we can score early.”

Plainfield South (26-9), which was making its supersectional debut, had no such luck against Lancers starter Missy Mazur (24-4), who allowed four hits over six innings, often getting the Cougars to swing at first pitches.

“Coach mentioned that they looked a little nervous so we just wanted to take advantage of it and get in their heads a little,” said Ciezki, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and had one of Lake Park’s five stolen bases.

Mazur, Jamie Pomahac, Alyssa Robison and Melissa Montemayor also had hits for the Lancers, who face Barrington in Friday’s 7 p.m. semifinal in East Peoria.

“It feels amazing. We’re just peaking,” Mazur said. “We just know we’re in playoffs and it’s a do-or-die situation, so we’re just going for it. Everyone is contributing. It’s not just a set group of players.”