Late-Inning Offensive Surge Propels Lincoln-Way West Softball Past Lemont 8-2

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team utilized a relentless 12-hit offensive attack to secure an 8-2 non-conference home victory over visiting Lemont on Wednesday afternoon. A four-run eruption in the bottom of the sixth inning ultimately sealed the decisive win for the home team.

Lincoln-Way West established the tone early, jumping out to a quick advantage in the opening frames. The offense plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning and tacked on another run in the second to build a 3-0 lead. The lineup consistently pressured the Lemont pitching staff throughout the afternoon, highlighted by a home run that helped set the early pace.

Lemont battled back in the top of the fourth inning, stringing together hits to cut the deficit to a single run. Brooklyn Peslak and J. Pontrelli delivered clutch extra-base hits for the visitors, each ripping an RBI double to make it a tightly contested 3-2 game. Peslak finished the day 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Pontrelli matched her with a 2-for-3 performance and an RBI of her own.

Clinging to a narrow lead, Lincoln-Way West responded emphatically. The home team added a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning before blowing the game wide open in the sixth. Capitalizing on Lemont defensive miscues and stringing together a flurry of timely hits, Lincoln-Way West pushed four final runs across the plate to extend the lead to its 8-2 conclusion.

Lemont starting pitcher Mila Mardjetko took the loss, tossing five innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits while striking out three. C. Podrebarac entered in relief for the final frame, yielding one earned run on three hits. The Lincoln-Way West pitching staff, meanwhile, successfully navigated the Lemont lineup, limiting the visitors to just two runs on seven hits over seven complete innings to secure the win.

Game Summary

Score by Innings

Scoring Summary

• 1st Inning: Lincoln-Way West strikes first, pushing two runs across the plate in the opening frame. (Lincoln-Way West 2, Lemont 0)

• 2nd Inning: The home team extends its lead with a single run. (Lincoln-Way West 3, Lemont 0)

• 4th Inning: Lemont answers back with a pair of runs, highlighted by RBI doubles from Brooklyn Peslak and J. Pontrelli. (Lincoln-Way West 3, Lemont 2)

• 5th Inning: Lincoln-Way West adds a crucial insurance run in the bottom half of the inning. (Lincoln-Way West 4, Lemont 2)

• 6th Inning: Lincoln-Way West breaks the game wide open with a massive four-run rally to seal the victory. (Lincoln-Way West 8, Lemont 2)

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Brooklyn Peslak (Lemont): 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R

• J. Pontrelli (Lemont): 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI

• Ella Noetzel (Lemont): 1-3

• C. Podrebarac (Lemont): 1-3

• C. Painter (Lemont): 1-3, 1 R

• Team Totals (Lincoln-Way West): 12 Hits, 8 Runs, 1 HR, 4 BB

PITCHING:

• Mila Mardjetko (Lemont): 5.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

• C. Podrebarac (Lemont): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

• Team Totals (Lincoln-Way West): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K