With two outs, Hailey Niebrugge delivered the biggest hit of the game, grounding yet another 3-2 pitch up the middle, driving in both Rios sisters and putting the Lady Bulldogs on top to stay. Lucy Fearday then followed with a drive down the rightfield line. It, too, glanced off the outfielder’s glove and rolled away. The result was an RBI triple that capped the inning.
“That hit by Hailey was huge for us,” Taylor admitted. “She knew what she had to do in that situation and made sure to put the bat on the ball. She’s a very even-keel player, but I’m hoping that hit will be a momentum-builder for her and get her going again.”
That was all the support Fearday needed. Despite battling through flu-like symptoms the entire game, the junior righthander was terrific. She allowed just one hit in her complete-game, 124-pitch effort. She walked three and struck out nine.
WSS scored its lone tally in the top of the fourth and did so in an unusual manner.
With one out, Maddie Pfeiffer lined a base hit to rightfield, the Lady Hatchets only hit of the contest. Ava Richards then walked and Sam Hayes was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
The next batter, Gabby Vonderheide, hit a pop-up into shallow leftfield. Due to the windy conditions, the ball blew back towards the infield and the infield fly rule was called, which meant Vonderheide was automatically out. The ball dropped, which meant the other runners could advance, allowing Pfeiffer to scoot home and put WSS on top.
The Lady Hatchets had just two base runners over the final three innings – one due to a walk and the other a hit batter.
“You could tell by Lucy’s body language that she wasn’t feeling well,” Taylor noted. “But she still got locked in. I checked on her after every inning. She came up big for us.”
The flu also kept senior centerfield Grace Karolewicz out of the lineup, allowing Addison Rios to play.
“Grace came up to me before the game and told me she wasn’t feeling well,” Taylor said. “I knew she really wanted to play, but she said she thought it was in the best interest of the team if she didn’t. That’s what sports is all about; being a good teammate.”
Bean also turned in a strong pitching effort for the No. 2-seeded Lady Hatchets. She allowed seven hits and four runs, while walking three and striking out five. She threw 128 pitches.
“We need good competitive games like this,” Taylor admitted. “They are a good team and Karlie is a very good pitcher. I love playing games like this. It’s good for us.”
The Lady Bulldogs notched their 11th straight win and improved to 21-3 on the season. They will now prepare for the annual City Series and will face the Effingham Lady Hearts Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The games Wednesday and Friday will be at the St. Anthony diamond, while Thursday’s contest will be played on Effingham’s field. Game time for each is 4 p.m.
