Softball: West Chicago’s web gems stymie Bartlett
The West Chicago defense was simply spectacular Thursday.
They were so good, they almost made it look easy.
At least six times, Wildcats fielders robbed visiting Bartlett of what looked to be certain base hits.
That, and the booming bat of junior Summer Silks, was the difference in a 5-1 West Chicago Upstate Eight win.
The victory enabled the Wildcats to solidify their second place position in conference behind South Elgin. They’re now 7-1 in the league, and 11-2 overall.
“I love defense,” said West Chicago third baseman Haylee Majer, who made a couple of outstanding plays at the hot corner. “It’s my favorite part of the game.”
Even Hawks coach Jim Wolfsmith took notice.
“They defended today,” said Wolfsmith about the Wildcats.
“I thought we did a good job of hitting. We had a bunch of balls that we squared up on, but Jazzy (West Chicago shortstop Jasmyn Trigueros) made a couple of plays and Majer made a couple of plays.
“Then their pitcher (Scout Gallagher) took care of the rest.”
In the top of the first, West Chicago left fielder Ellie Wingstedt made a great running catch to keep Bartlett off the board.
Then in the bottom of the frame, Silks came up with the bags loaded and cleared the bases with a line drive double to the left field fence.
“I kind of just went up to the plate with my pitch selection set,” said Silks of the clutch base knock. “I was going to watch the first one and try to nail the second one.”
“She (Bartlett pitcher Christina Stankus) threw a perfect pitch, but I just happened to make contact with it.”
Silks, in addition to solid hitting, also made the defensive play of the game.
In the top of the second from her right field position, she raced in to field a line drive grounder that got past the infield, and was able to throw the Bartlett runner out at first.
“I’ve tried to do that three other times this season, and I haven’t been successful,” said Silks. “So when I finally got to execute it, it was a highlight.”
West Chicago plated two more in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 5-0, as Trigueros and Majer each stroked run-scoring singles.
Bartlett got on the board in the top of the fifth, when a drive down the right field line by Lauren Ligouri drove teammate Suzie Piaskowski home from second.
The Hawks threatened again in the seventh, but back-to-back defensive gems from Trigueros closed out the game.
Gallagher scattered four hits and struck out seven to earn the win.
After the victory, West Chicago first-year coach Mary Kate Dieter said that it’s the experience and determination of her players that is driving the Wildcats’ hot start to the season.
“I’m coming to a house that I haven’t necessarily built,” said Dieter, “and it’s the kids who have put in the work.
“Stepping back and watching the way they analyze the game and give each other feedback, it (shows) that they know the game well. We have a lot of talent, and we have a lot of returning kids who have played together a long time.”