Maize, Sullivan key Leyden win

Updated: May 27, 2011 8:22PM

Dana Sullivan picked the perfect opportunity to end a cold streak at the plate.

“I’d been struggling the last couple of games, and I just wanted to go up there and do something positive,” the junior Leyden catcher said.

Sullivan hit a bases-loaded bloop single that pushed across two runs in the bottom of the first inning that was sufficient for the Eagles’ star junior pitcher Morgan Maize in Leyden’s 2-1 victory over Wheaton North in a Class 4A softball regional at Conant Friday.

Pitching on her 17th birthday, Maize (23-4) struck out nine and scattered six hits for the Eagles (26-7), the sixth-seed in the loaded Schaumburg Sectional. Leyden advances to play host and top-ranked Conant for the regional title Saturday morning.

Maize encountered difficulty down the stretch, though she repeatedly found a way to pitch herself out of jams. “I just tried to stay focused,” Maize said. “I had good stuff, especially the movement that kept them off balance and I was able to get both the inside stuff and also the outside of the plate,” she said.

The Falcons (19-13) started hot against Maize, stringing together three first-inning hits. Senior second baseman Rachel Holoway drilled a two-out run scoring single for the early 1-0 advantage.

Leyden answered in its half of the first. With the bases loaded, Sullivan hit a first pitch fastball off Wheaton North senior starter Kahla Nolan (14-9). The floater hit just beyond second base and scored the crucial runs.

“[Shortstop Paige] Wilson almost makes a diving catch there, and if does, we win the game 1-0,” Wheaton North coach Karen Calabrese said. “We had our chances, but we just could not get that one timely hit.”

In the fourth inning, Holoway and Kelsey Ullrich collected consecutive singles into left field with one out. Maize made a brilliant play in the field, cleanly snaring an attempted bunt and throwing out Holoway at third. “Just before that, I heard one of the coaches say, ‘If it comes to you, go to third,’ and I was able to make the play,” she said.

Wilson led off the sixth with a sharp single into center and advanced to third on an error. Maize calmly coaxing a pop out, strike out and ground out. Wheaton North had a final chance in the seventh when lead-off hitter Annie Thomas reached on an error and was moved over to second on a sacrifice.

Maize closed the game out with a strike out and by snaring a comeback liner to the mound.

© 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.