Del Toro, Indians blank Crown Point

Updated: May 3, 2011 11:25PM

CROWN POINT — Lily Del Toro sensed it a little bit while warming up before the game.

The Lake Central pitcher couldn’t really put a finger on it after the game, either.

She insisted something threw her off in Tuesday’s Duneland Athletic Conference game against Crown Point.

Whatever it was, Del Toro’s probably hoping it happens a little bit more regularly.

The freshman pitcher held Crown Point hitless through 51/3 innings before Allison Amodeo singled to put an end to any thoughts of a no-hitter — not that Del Toro had any to begin with in LC’s 7-0 victory.

After the game, Del Toro said she wasn’t even aware she hadn’t given up any hits up until that point in the game.

“I didn’t know, I had no idea,’’ she smiled. “I was just out there concentrating on pitching.’’

Del Toro (5-3) allowed only one hit, struck out eight, yet uncharacteristically walked three batters — all in the first four innings.

“Lily did a really nice job tonight, and I say that somewhat with a grain of salt, because I think she walked three batters and that’s just not her,’’ Lake Central coach Jeff Sherman said. “Lily just didn’t have her best stuff tonight, but I felt she got better as the game went on.’’

Del Toro echoed Sherman’s thoughts without realizing what he had said.

“I felt good, but I know I didn’t have my best stuff today, but I battled,’’ she said. “I pitch like I warm up. There was just something about today that threw me off, but I adjusted and it was all good.’’

Was it possible the cold weather bothered her?

“No,’’ she said. “The mound was off — like a little rocky. After the first inning, I put some more dirt (with my shoe) by the (rubber). Sam (Terry) did a good job of calling the game today, too.’’

The Indians scored an unearned run on an error in the top of the fourth inning and held a 1-0 lead against Crown Point pitcher Siena Gyure until the sixth inning. That’s when they scored five runs on six hits, a walk and a throwing error, to break the game open and take a 6-0 lead.

“One hit....You have to score to win, and we didn’t swing the bats really well,’’ Crown Point coach Brett Crutchfield said. “Their pitcher did a really good job and we didn’t make very many adjustments at all. We dug a hole for ourselves and didn’t swing the bats and you can’t do that against a team like Lake Central.’’

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