Olson, Sandburg shut down Andrew

Updated: March 30, 2011 3:06PM

Defending Class 4A state champion Sandburg didn't bring home any victories from its California sojourn last week, but the Eagles returned to the Southland with something possibly more important.

"We spent so long with each other, 15 girls together for five days," senior Lora Olson said. "We were so close and we got so much closer.

"That's going to help us in the long run. It's the same thing from last year. We seniors know how that chemistry was last year and how successful we were. That's one thing we want the same."

The No. 1 Eagles were most definitely together in Tuesday's 4-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover win over host Andrew.

Up and down the lineup, somebody had something to contribute, from Olson firing a five-hitter and striking out seven, to Jessica Perkins ripping three of their 11 hits, to right fielder Kelly Sheridan pegging a runner out at third base.

Lexi Bryant, Lizzie Wojtowicz and Karissa Kouchis all added two hits as Sandburg (3-2) scored twice in the first inning and basically never looked back.

"When we played Moline (in the season opener) we started off really strong," Perkins said. "When we went to California our bats weren't really there as much. So today we wanted to come out and prove ourselves and get the bats rolling right away."

No. 9 Andrew (0-1) hung tough, especially pitcher Brooke Hofer, who was in continual jams but bore down to work out of most of them.

Kelly Christner and Jenna Lenza, meanwhile, each had a pair of hits for the Thunderbolts, the latter driving in their only run.

"We shot ourselves too much in the first couple of innings, made too many mistakes," Andrew coach Jim Holba said. "But Brooke kept battling. That was a huge positive for us. With as many mistakes as we made we kept it close and gave ourselves a chance."

Sandburg's quick start began with a one-out single by Wojtowicz in the top of the first. Bryant then walked, after which Perkins singled to the hole at short to load the bases.

Hofer and Olson then had a good battle before a full-count pitch that missed high. Hofer got the next batter on a popout, but Candice Koch made it 2-0 Eagles with a soft single to left.

Sandburg tacked on a third run in the second on an RBI single by Bryant that scored Kouchis (reached on error).

"I was happy with that," Olson said. "I think me and Lexi worked well. We had fun. And the defense played well. That's all I could ask for."

Olson stranded two runners through three innings before Andrew reached her for a run in the fourth via a leadoff single by Christner, a sac bunt by Jessie Tucker and an RBI single by Lenza. Katie Burke followed with a base hit to right, but Sheridan pegged Lenza out trying to advance to third.

Olson blanked the Thunderbolts from there, while the Eagles added a final run in the sixth on a double by Wojtowicz and an RBI single by Olson.

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