Stay Connected with YourSeason
Sorensen’s return sparks Joliet West
Updated: May 11, 2011 9:56PM
A leaping, game-ending catch by left-fielder Daviona Ervins and the return of starting pitcher Kayla Sorensen to finish the game showed that the two Joliet West players can definitely reach back for something extra.
Lincoln-Way Central’s Kylie Bennett hit a three-run homer to cut Joliet West’s lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, and Knights were on second and third with two outs when Kayla Pope sent a towering drive toward Ervins.
“It was kind of scary for me because I saw it was over my head,’’ Ervins said. “I thought ‘I have to catch it, I have to catch it.’’’
And catch it she did to save the 4-3 SouthWest Suburban Blue victory Wednesday for Joliet West (10-15, 3-9).
Tresa Fahrner (2-for-4, two runs scored) came around to score what proved to be the winning run in the top of the seventh after her leadoff single, a stolen base, a sacrifice and an errant pitch.
Sorensen pitched four scoreless innings and struck out the last two hitters in the second after three errors produced a bases loaded situation.
“That felt great,’’ Sorensen said. “I knew I had to come through because the bases were loaded and the score was pretty close.’’
The score was even closer after Bennett’s home run. Sorensen replaced Katie McKay on the mound after a base hit by Colleen Hansen followed the home run. Sorensen retired the next batter before another hit set the stage for the final out.
“She has really come along very well as a pitcher,’’ Joliet West pitching coach MaryPat Cummings said of Sorensen. “We added a screwball for her this year and it’s working well. To be able to come back in at the end of a game is huge.’’
“Kayla did an amazing job,’’ Joliet West catcher Julia Liceaga said. “She really came through at the end.’’
Liceaga did her share with a two-run single in a three-run first inning that included a leadoff double by Fahrner.
“I knew bases were loaded and we wanted to score, so I just really focused on making good contact with the ball,’’ Liceaga said.
“We dug ourselves a hole in the first inning, we really did,’’ Lincoln-Way Central coach Steve Paulsen said. “We had a couple routine plays we did not make.’’
Bennett, Gabrielle Boerema and Nicole Walshon each had two hits for Lincoln-Way Central (11-11, 6-4).
“I told the kids, the intensity we had the last inning, I wish we would have had that the whole time,’’ Paulsen said. “Sometimes we sit back and
© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.
Cell Phone Alerts
Comments Click here to view or make a comment