Softball: Richards Blanks Evergreen Park, Extends Win Streak to Eight

Touching All the Bases: Outstanding pitching and timely hitting led to a conference road victory for Richards Thursday afternoon as the Bulldogs blanked Evergreen Park 5-0. Two players stood as Richards remained undefeated on the season. Starting pitcher Brianna LeBeau (6-0) went seven innings, allowed no runs and struck out eight. Despite allowing a runner to reach in the first at-bat of four of the seven innings, LeBeau was able to keep the Mustangs in check.

Richards junior shortstop Hannah Jenkins drove in three runs, which included a two-run home run in the seventh inning that put the game out of reach. Richards picked up two runs in the fifth from back-to-back RBI singles by Jenkins and sophomore first baseman Breanna Kaminski.

Evergreen Park starting pitcher Michelle Putlak (4-3, 4-1 in conference) held her own on the mound. Putlak went seven innings and struck out six. The two runs in the fifth came after a one-out error. Had the error been an out, Putlak would have escaped out of the fifth with the strikeout she threw to the next batter.

Patch’s MVP: Richards junior shortstop Hannah Jenkins (2-for-4, 3 RBIs, 2-run home run).

Richards Leaders: Junior starting pitcher Brianna LeBeau (7 innings pitched, 8 strikeouts, 0 runs). Sophomore first baseman Breanna Kaminski (3-for-4, RBI).

Evergreen Park Leaders: Starting pitcher Michelle Putlak (7 innings pitched, 6 strikeouts). Second baseman Kym Farmer (2-for-3 with a triple). Center fielder Teresa Ziebarth (1-for3 with a triple).

Quotable: Richards junior shortstop Hannah Jenkins on her home run: “I was just trying to focus on the ball and learn how she threw the ball and catch up on her spins.”

Quotable II: Evergreen Park coach John O’Connor on the game: “We need to be better. We’re a better team than that.”

Team Records: Richards is 8-0 overall and 7-0 in the South Suburban Conference. Evergreen Park is 7-5 and 7-2 in the SSC.