Softball: New Trier rides big first inning to victory

Updated: May 22, 2012 7:40PM

If Lake Forest was to have any chance of upsetting New Trier, the No. 1 seed in the Niles West Sectional, on Tuesday, the Scouts knew their margin of error would have to be minimal.

While the Scouts’ Sarah Porter managed to settle in after New Trier’s five-run first inning, the Trevians beat Lake Forest 10-0 in five innings to win their New Trier Regional semifinal.

After New Trier starting pitcher Brigit Ieuter (19-2) retired Lake Forest in order in the top of the first inning, the Trevians’ first two hitters got on base via Lake Forest errors.

New Trier’s next three batters — Megan Neuhaus, Eileen Hurley and Ieuter — made the Scouts pay for their mistakes. They combined to drive in four runs before Lake Forest recorded an out in the first inning.

“It takes the pressure off on the field when we have a big lead,” said Ieuter, who allowed one hit and drove in four runs. “But it also just keeps the energy up from the beginning and that’s really important. It’s always helpful to have a strong start and keep it up throughout the game.”

Starting slow has been a trend for Lake Forest (9-22), and is something which ended their season Tuesday.

“It’s always kind of a rough start with our team,” Porter said. “We just kind of get into the swing of it, the defense picks up, the offense picks up and I start throwing more strikes.”

With the win, New Trier (29-5) advances to Saturday’s New Trier Regional final. The Trevians will play the winner of Wednesday’s Deerfield-Glenbrook South regional semifinal.

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