Softball: Marian Catholic takes first step, tops Providence
Updated: May 14, 2012 7:42PM
Marian Catholic will have an opportunity to make up two games on Benet Academy when the two teams meet in a doubleheader Saturday in Lisle.
The thing is, the No. 2 Spartans will have to stay within two games to make it worth their while.
It won’t be easy.
Monday, they battled back from an early deficit to single their way past host Providence, 7-2.
Tuesday, however, brings the second meeting of the season against always-tough Marist. And Wednesday, Providence will come to Chicago Heights looking for revenge.
Quite a challenge, to be sure.
“I think we can do it,” senior third baseman Kelly Foley said. “We have a lot of good hitters. We know how to take control when we need to. I think we have what it takes in us.”
Foley was 3-for-4 against Providence with two runs scored, while Allison Spence, Alex Nickel, Jennifer LaBella and Haley Earl had two hits each as the Spartans improved to 23-7, 11-3. The pitching win went to Earl, who allowed five hits.
Morgan Greenwood and Maeve Garvey had two hits each for Providence (19-12, 10-5).
One of Greenwood’s hits was a booming two-run home run in the first inning that plated Garvey (single). Greenwood golfed a pretty sharp dropball.
“I’m not real sure how she got that, But I guess she got all of it,” Earl said, smiling. “After that, I just believed in my defense. That’s all it takes for me.”
The Spartans played errorless ball behind her over the final five innings, turning one double play.
On offense, Marian stranded five runners over the first four innings against Providence starter Amanda Wilson, but eight Spartans in a row would reach in the fifth, six on singles. Even Lauren Boyle’s RBI double was a groundball down the left field line.
Of their 14 hits, 12 were singles.
“That’s what it takes to win a game, little hits over and over again,” Foley said. “You don’t need big hits to win.”
A two-run double in the sixth by Rebecca Stanton off of reliever Allie Strick also provided more breathing room for Earl.
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