Softball: Providence turns back Lincoln-Way West

Lincoln-Way West and Providence entered their first-round regional tilt Wednesday with matching records.

The battle between the two New Lenox schools, which sit less than 3 miles apart, did not look like a match of equals.

No. 6 Providence outdistanced its crosstown opponent via a 10-0 victory in a Class 3A Lemont Regional semifinal. The Celtics (24-12) pounded out 13 hits, including six doubles, in the five-inning game.

“Offensively, we really did everything we were hoping to do,” Providence coach Jay Biesterfeld said. “We felt like we had a good game plan, and the kids came out and executed. Even our outs were shots. We really hit the ball well today.”

The win sets up a finals match-up for Providence with No. 7 Lemont at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Providence pitcher Allie Strick (15-4) threw a complete game against West, allowing just one hit while striking out eight and walking two.

“Strick looked really good on the mound,” West coach Heather Novak said. “She moved the ball around and got ahead of our hitters. She got the job done.”

Amanda Wilson (3-for-4) drove in four runs to lead the Celtics offense. Her two-run double got Providence going in the first inning. She added a two-run single in the fifth.

Ellie Bartosz had two doubles and drove in a run for the Celtics. Tara Airola added a two-run double in the fourth inning.

West’s best scoring opportunity came with two outs in the fourth. With Sam Magruder on first, Sarah Clark doubled down the left-field line. Magruder, however, was thrown out at third by Airola.

The No. 9 Warriors (23-13) enjoyed their best regular-season showing in the team’s three-year history. Nonetheless, Wednesday’s first-round exit left an unpleasant feeling.

“Obviously, it’s a disappointing way to end the season. We’ve made a ton of improvements as a program, but we need to get better from here,” Novak said.

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