Softball: All-Around Effort Helps Lincoln-Way Central Open Season with Victory

Touching All the Bases: The second inning proved huge in more ways than one for Lincoln-Way Central on Tuesday in New Lenox. After Nicole Walshon pitched out of a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam in the top of the second inning, the host Knights sent 16 batters to the plate in the bottom half and scored 10 runs on nine hits en route to a comfortable 16-1 victory in five innings. Lincoln-Way Central also batted around in the fourth inning when it scored five runs.

Patch’s MVP: Kylie Bennett, Lincoln-Way Central. The junior first baseman went 3-for-4 with three RBI and scored two runs to lead the Knights’ 18-hit attack.

Lincoln-Way Central Leaders: Nicole Walshon pitched a complete game, allowing one run on five hits while striking out six and walking two to improve her record to 1-0. Walshon also had an RBI single. In addition to Bennett’s strong performance at the plate, the Knights received big contributions from Jamie Haubenreiser (3-for-4, double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs), Kaleigh Barrett (2-for-3, walk, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, stolen base), Kayla Pope (2-for-3, RBIs, run), Taylor Schroeder (2-for-3, 2 runs), Hanna Hanlon (2-for-3, RBI), Colleen Hansen (single, walk, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) and Alyssa Farbak (2-run single).

Providence Leaders: Ellie Bartosz went 2-for-3 with a double and Amanda Wilson was 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly to knock in the Celtics’ lone run.

Quotable I: Lincoln-Way Central coach Steve Paulsen on the victory: “I thought we did a really good job of putting the ball in play today. When you put the ball in play, good things happen. The second inning was the best thing we did. We got out of the second inning without any runs scoring and then we just exploded. It was a huge maturing process for all of our kids. It’s a good confidence booster for our kids. Providence is always a good, quality program.”

Quotable II: Providence coach Jay Biesterfel on the loss: “We have some young kids and we expected that we might have some struggles on defense. I didn’t anticipate so many mental mistakes. I recorded at least three or four fielder’s choices where we didn’t get an out. A kid didn’t know where to throw it and then we don’t get anybody. It was really the only inning that really hurt us. Nobody likes to get beat like that, but we know we’re better than that and we’re not going to panic. There are a lot of games to play and when you have a young team you’re going to have to grow with them and try and stay as patient as possible. Hopefully we can learn from this.”

Team Records: Lincoln-Way Central (1-0); Providence (0-1).

What’s Next: Providence is scheduled to play at Lincoln-Way North at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, while Lincoln-Way Central will take on host Lincoln-Way West at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.