One step short of state
With many returning, Lisle expects to be force in 2010
Lisle's June 1 Class 2A supersectional contest against Coal City at Lewis University in Romeoville didn't go the way the Lions (27-11) had hoped.
The 6-0 loss to the Coalers send them back home a game short of the state finals.
A trip downstate would have been the second in the past three years for Lisle.
Nonetheless, 2009 was a year of many accomplishments. The Lions rebounded from a 5-20 mark in 2008 and won while developing young talent. Three freshmen started for Lisle during the playoff run.
Meanwhile, Lisle's two seniors will miss the team's camaraderie and winning ways.
"We were way closer and got along a lot better (than last year)," Alison Petkovsek said. "As a team, we were better fundamentally and had a good time."
Ali Curry, the other senior agreed: "We were so much better than last year. These girls who are coming back have so much potential. I wish I could be a part of the team next year."
Lions coach Jen Pomatto commended both seniors for their leadership and calming effect in the dugout.
"We lose a lot in terms of leadership," she said. "I'm really proud of those girls. They were both starters last year and it would have been easier for them to walk away. They decided to stay with the team and they helped the other girls in so many ways."
Bekka Houda picked up the loss against the 32-2 Coalers and 30-2 starter Kirsten Verdun. The sophomore still finished 18-9 in her first year playing for Lisle.
Coal City struck twice in the first off of Houda. They added four more in the third, but Verdun's pitching didn't require that much offensive support.
Verdun hurled seven frames, yielding four hits and striking out 14. Her seventh-inning walk to Breanne Prindeville was her only free pass.
Houda saw Bryanna Phelan lead off the first with a single for Coal City and then score on No. 2 hitter Krista Watson's double to left-center. A fielder's choice RBI for Courtney Delach made it 2-0 later in the inning.
Watson finished 3-for-4 and Delach knocked in three runs.
Three hits, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a Lisle error amounted to the four-run onslaught in the third.
Houda ended up allowing six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings -- a far cry from her usual dominance.
She still fanned four Coalers, including all three in a three-up, three-down second.
Stranding runners did not help Lisle either.
Freshman second baseman Shelby Kretman singled with one out in the first but was left on second. Lisle left six on in the game.
Verdun beat Lisle twice earlier in Interstate Eight play this year by 7-0 and 2-0 margins.
"She no-hit us the first time we saw her this year and then one-hit us the second," Pomatto said. "We hit much better against her today."
What was the key?
"We talked about the need to choke up and shorten up," Shelby Kretman said. "In the cages, we were working on it the last few days."
Lisle freshman Melanie Early relieved Houda and threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
"She's going to be a good pitcher next year," Coal City coach Brad Schmitt said.
