Six-Run Third Inning Propels Lincoln-Way West Softball Past Downers Grove South, 12-7

Downers Grove South jumped out to a quick four-run lead in the top of the first inning, but the Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team answered with a relentless offensive attack to secure a 12-7 home non-conference victory on Thursday afternoon.

The visiting Downers Grove South squad struck first, utilizing the long ball to apply immediate pressure. Sluggers Addison Yurchak and Paige Rook put on a power display for the visitors despite the loss. Yurchak smashed a home run, added a sacrifice fly, and finished the afternoon with a game-high four RBIs. Rook was equally dangerous in the batter’s box, finishing 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run, and two RBIs. Jacklyn Meyers and J. Balsavich consistently set the table at the top of the lineup, scoring two runs apiece.

However, Lincoln-Way West refused to fold after the early 4-0 deficit. The hosts immediately answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning to keep the game within reach. After pushing across the tying run in the second, Lincoln-Way West blew the game wide open in the bottom of the third. An explosive six-run rally flipped the script entirely, giving the home team a commanding 10-4 advantage that they would never relinquish.

The Lincoln-Way West lineup generated 11 total hits and capitalized on a pair of Downers Grove South fielding errors to fuel the comeback. The hosts tacked on two vital insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Downers Grove South attempted a late rally with three runs in the top of the seventh, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.

Morgan Hahn took the loss in the circle for Downers Grove South, allowing eight earned runs over the first three innings of the slugfest. Eva Karmik provided stability out of the bullpen, pitching three solid innings of relief and yielding just two runs on three hits.

(Note: Individual statistics for Lincoln-Way West were not reported).

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Softball is scored by innings)

Scoring Drives

• First Quarter (Inning)

  • Downers Grove South: 4 Runs

  • Lincoln-Way West: 3 Runs

• Second Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 1 Run

• Third Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 6 Runs

• Fifth Quarter (Inning)

  • Lincoln-Way West: 2 Runs

• Seventh Quarter (Inning)

  • Downers Grove South: 3 Runs

Individual Statistics

• PITCHING:

  • Lincoln-Way West: Stats not reported.

  • Downers Grove South: Morgan Hahn (L) 3.0 IP, 8 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K; Eva Karmik 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.

• BATTING:

  • Lincoln-Way West: Stats not reported. (Team: 11 Hits).

  • Downers Grove South: Paige Rook 2-3 (1 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI); Addison Yurchak 1-2 (1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SF); J. Balsavich 1-4 (2 R); Jacklyn Meyers 1-4 (2 R, 1 SB); Meg Sisul 1-3 (1 R).

• FIELDING:

  • Lincoln-Way West: Stats not reported. Team: 3 Errors.

  • Downers Grove South: J. Balsavich 4 PO; Alyse Carlson 4 PO; Addison Yurchak 3 PO; Emily Hines 2 PO, 1 A; Aubrey Potter 2 PO; Natalie Zalud 1 PO, 1 A. Team: 2 Errors.