Joliet Catholic Academy softball is playing for the state championship.
Andie Broniewicz fired a 4-hit shutout as the Angels defeated Unity 5-0 to advance to the Class 2A title game It’s the first time JCA (23-8) has played in a state championship softball game. The Angels finished fourth in Class AA in 1988 as St. Francis Academy.
“I’ve been a part of JCA softball for 20 years as either an assistant or a head coach,” Angels coach Tina Kinsella said. “Our six seniors have been together since freshmen year and are a big reason that we are here.”
Two of the seniors are also the battery of Broniewicz and catcher Jolee Santiago. They combined to knock in all the runs as well.
Freshman third baseman Wrigley Fanter led off the top of the first with a single and senior center fielder Charlie Kinsella reached on an error. The pair moved up to second and third on a sacrifice by junior second baseman Morgan Bruno.
That brought up Broniewicz, who boomed a 2-run double to right center.
“I like it better when we’re visitors,” Broniewicz smiled. “I like to go out and get on top first. The girls got on for me and I had to get them in. I got something to hit and was able to poke it through.”
For the second straight game, Broniewicz didn’t allow anyone on the other team to get in. She struck out eight, walked one, and hit one batter.
“I was just keeping them off balance,” Broniewicz said of her pitching success. Just getting ahead and having Jolee behind the plate for me.”
Santiago knocked in a trio of runs in the fifth. Fanter (3-for-4) led off with her third straight single. Two outs later, Broniewicz was intentionally walked. Sophomore shortstop Mack Brow (1-for-3) also walked. Santiago then hit a sharp grounder to the right of second. It took off on the turf field and went all the way to the wall for a 3-run triple.
Santiago stands 5-foot-2 but plays much bigger.
“Jolee benches and squats the most on the team,” Tina Kinsella said. She’s the strongest one on the team and she’s so smart, she calls the game.”
And gets big hits too.
“I was 0-for-2 coming into that at bat,” Santiago said. “But in that moment I wanted to get back on the ball and knew good things happen.”
Good things happen when Broniewicz is in the circle too.
“She’s just an amazing pitcher,” Santiago said of her pitcher. “I trust her and she trusts me. We’re always working to get better. We practice outside of school too. She takes directions well and I’m glad I can give them to her.
“To make history like this is awesome. We didn’t have a season last year and now here we are.”
Freshman twins, first baseman Sam Patrick and left fielder Madison Patrick, also had hits for the Angels, who had eight hits in the game.
Now there’s one more game.
“It’s amazing,” Broniewicz said of getting to the state title game. “To get here is just awesome.”