LWE stops Celtics

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Santefort throws 1-hitter in win over Providence FRANKFORT -- Caitlin Santefort didn't pitch as well as she would have liked, but it's hard to be too disappointed after you've just tossed a 1-hitter.

The Lincoln-Way East High School sophomore right-hander only allowed a leadoff single to Emily Perish to open the seventh in her team's game with Providence Catholic on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Griffins only managed six hits against Celtic starter Marissa Welch but that proved to be enough to help them claim a 2-0 nonconference win.

"I didn't pitch too badly," said Santefort, who also had 3 strikeouts. "I got behind in the count too many times but my defense made great plays. Every shutout feels nice and it's always a great team accomplishment.

"We were missing a few people today but everybody else stepped up so things worked out fine for us."

The Griffins (14-6) had to go with a few new faces due to the fact that some regulars were taking tests but it didn't slow them down much against the Celtics (19-7).

One of those who contributed in a big way was Monica Gray, who went 2-for-3, including an RBI single in the fourth to score courtesy runner Caroline Calabrese.

That was East's second run of the game and proved to be sufficient support for Santefort, who walked two, hit a batter and didn't allow a baserunner past second.

"We knew that Providence had just beaten Marian Catholic and they're never a team that you can take lightly," Griffins coach Katie Meader said. "Our kids did a great job of stepping up at the plate and playing solidly.

"Monica did an excellent job at the plate and Nellie Kosola does a great job of getting on base. Caitlin only allowed one hit but she got a little bit behind. Our kids did a great job of setting the tone by scoring first today."

East got the only run that it would need in the first inning when Nellie Kosola (2-for-3) reached on an infield single and eventually scored from second base following a flyout by Bri Lizen.

With most signs pointing up as they took possession of first place in the East Suburban Catholic Conference standings, the one-hit offensive effort was a disappointment for the Celtics.

"When you only get one hit, you really can't blame the defense for giving up runs," Providence coach Jay Biesterfeld said. "I don't know if she was moving the ball but we just have to do a better job of hitting the ball hard.

"This was the 25th time that we've held teams to three runs or less, so we have to be ready to hit every day. But we're in first place in our conference, which is the first time in a long time that we've been there this late."