Season a success despite ending for Westmont softball

LISLE – Alana Pace, Skyler Poel, Kiera Aldridge and Alix Mendoza got Westmont's offense going for an inning.

Unfortunately, the Sentinels couldn't keep it going in a season-ending 11-3 softball loss against IC Catholic is a sectional semifinal at Benedictine University on May 27.

Poel singled home Pace, then Poel and Aldridge scored on Mendoza's single as the Sentinels grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the third, but IC scored twice in its half of the frame and added on from there.

"You have to tip your hat to them. They came out and hit the ball. They hit the ball well," Westmont head coach Jason Bolden said. "I thought we were going to battle them a little bit when we came back and put three on them that one inning, but they were the better team today. There's no doubt about it."

Five errors on defense didn't make things any easier for the Sentinels. The Knights scored three unearned runs in the fourth to extend the lead.

"You can't give people extra opportunities in the playoffs," Bolden said. "You can't, and when you do, that's what hurts you the most."

Though the season ended unceremoniously, it was still a successful campaign. The Sentinels finished the year with a 22-10 record with team that saw varsity newcomers playing key roles.

Pace, Poel and pitcher Kristen Skala were seniors with experience, and junior Lauren Verdera and sophomores Aldridge and Rachel Chorney played varsity last year, but by and large Westmont was on the young side. There were 11 freshmen and sophomores on the roster. Even senior Emma May was somewhat new to softball after running track early during high school.

"It was really good considering how young we were," Poel said of her senior season. "Mr. Bolden was even saying he thought we would be a .500 team and the fact we finished 22-10 is ridiculous, beyond what he expected. We've done a lot better than everyone would have guessed. Everyone stepped up and did what they had to do."

Skala and Poel were the battery that powered the Sentinels for four seasons. They will be tough to replace, but they and their senior teammates leave a legacy that will keep Westmont competitive in the future.

"It's mainly just hard work," Poel said. "They just need to understand you need to have a good morale and not give up even if the odds are against you. That's what we're trying to pass on to them."

"Our four seniors were fantastic kids," Bolden said. "They really showed people what kind of commitment you need to be successful here."