Softball: Joliet West battles, but can’t answer Moline

Updated: May 30, 2012 11:04PM

Facing defending Class 4A state champion Moline in what Joliet West coach Heather Suca called “an up-and-down season,’’ the Tigers finished their year on the up side despite being down on the scoreboard.

West fell behind 5-0, rallied for three runs to mute the Maroons in the middle innings, but saw an encouraging season end Wednesday with a 6-3 loss in a Class 4A Edwardsville Sectional semifinal played at Ottawa High School.

“They did such a good job of composing themselves,’’ Suca said of the Tigers. “West hasn’t been to a regional in a while, let alone a sectional. I thought the girls handled themselves very well. They came out confident and ready to play.’’

“I think we finished really strong this year, not just this game, but the whole season,’’ shortstop Tresa Fahrner said. “These last few games, we really pulled through. ’’

Fahrner gave the Tigers life with a two-run triple to make it 5-2 in the third. She also made a couple of sparkling plays on ground balls.

“Tresa has been playing amazing, lights-out the last 10 games,’’ Suca said. “The range she’s covering and hitting the ball.’’

West (19-19) added a run in the fifth on an infield error before Moline (28-10) ended the scoring with a run in the seventh.

Katie McKay came on in relief of Joy Treasure in the fourth and held Moline scoreless for three innings.

“We went through a lot as a team this season, getting used to each other,’’ said Illinois State-bound second baseman Jordan Davis, one of only five seniors on the West roster. “I think we put everything together right when it needed to be put together.’’

“A great group of kids,’’ Suca said. “They came so far from the beginning of the season.

“I’m so proud of them. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids.”

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