Lincoln-Way Central scores 5 runs in first inning, beats Joliet Catholic

JOLIET – Lincoln-Way Central used a five-run first inning to beat Joliet Catholic Academy, 10-2, Tuesday afternoon in a nonconference game.

The Knights (16-2) had only three hits in the first inning, but one of those hits was a grand slam from McKenzie Murdock, as the junior added another RBI in a three-run sixth inning to give her five RBIs on the day.

“I have never hit a grand slam in a high school game before, so that was pretty exciting,” Murdock said. “We had one run in and I was just looking for a pitch to drive or just hit hard to drive in some more runs, and I actually thought it was just a pop-up that would be caught.

“Today was really important for us to score early and get this win after losing a close game to Bradley-Bourbonnais on Monday. It really helped our confidence scoring those runs in the first after only scoring one on Monday.”

Central scored two more runs in the third, with Grace Erickson and Sydra Seville getting the RBIs. In the sixth, the Knights also received an RBI each from Carly Alvers and Jamie Widule, in addition to Murdock. Central ended the game with 11 hits, as eight players had at least one hit and scored a run.

Lyndsey Grein was in the circle, as usual, for the Knights, and she ended the game with 10 strikeouts and retired the final 10 batters of the game. It wasn’t easy early, as the scrappy Angels loaded the bases in three of the first four innings but could only get two runs, as Grein had strikeouts for the third out in two of those three innings.

The Angels left 10 runners on base and committed four errors in the field at crucial times. Sophomore Mack Brow had three hits for the Angels with seniors Andie Broniewicz and Sara Neville each driving in a run.

“In the field the errors hurt because it changes the entire dynamic of the game,” Joliet Catholic coach Tina Kinsella said. “It now becomes different situations. It turns their line-up over and our pitcher has to throw more pitches. But offensively, we kept chipping away early by earning some walks and hitting the ball on the ground which is so important. It’s the little things that most don’t notice, but one of those things change and it can make a big difference in a game.

“We only had three seniors in the game, along with three sophomores and a freshman, plus when you think about it, those sophomores are really freshmen because they didn’t get to play last year. Our schedule right now is set up purposely to face the best 4A schools in the area, and we are in that gauntlet right now. But we are facing the best pitching we will see all season, and we are learning every time out against great competition. Come tournament time, and we are a 2A school, we will not face the type of teams we are seeing now, and we will be well prepared.”