Minooka Blasts Five Home Runs to Overpower Lincoln-Way Central 12-2

MINOOKA, Ill. — The Minooka varsity softball team put on an absolute power clinic on Friday afternoon, launching five home runs to dismantle visiting Lincoln-Way Central 12-2 in a non-conference matchup shortened to six innings by the run rule.

Senior Addisonn Crumly led the offensive fireworks for Minooka, recording a multi-homer performance. Crumly went 2-for-4 at the plate, blasting two home runs and driving in three runs. She was far from alone in the power surge, as Emma Best, Olivia Boyd, and Chloe Miner all joined the home run parade. Miner delivered a game-high four RBIs, while Best added three RBIs of her own on a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate.

In total, the Minooka lineup racked up 14 hits, with six different players recording multi-hit games in the dominant showing.

While Minooka’s offense was stealing the spotlight, Best was quietly tossing a gem in the circle. The senior was a true two-way force, earning the complete-game victory by holding Lincoln-Way Central to just three hits over six innings. Best allowed two earned runs, issued only one walk, and struck out five batters on 75 pitches to keep the Knights’ offense grounded.

Minooka (25-26) set the tone early, pushing three runs across in the bottom of the second inning to take control. They methodically added to their advantage with a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings, building a comfortable 7-0 lead.

Lincoln-Way Central showed life in the top of the fifth inning, breaking up the shutout with a two-run frame. Junior Juno Lundquist was a bright spot for the Knights, turning in a perfect 2-for-2 performance at the plate and scoring a run. Junior Mia Degliomini provided a spark on the basepaths, tallying a pair of stolen bases.

However, the Knights’ pitching staff simply could not silence Minooka’s thunderous bats. Utilizing a rotation of four pitchers—Hope Davis, Madelyn Lanigan, Annelysia Reina, and Lauren Podkul—Lincoln-Way Central struggled to find a steady rhythm against the relentless Minooka lineup.

Leading 7-2 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Minooka slammed the door shut. The hosts erupted for five runs in the frame, decisively ending the contest via the 10-run mercy rule.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 2nd Inning: Minooka strikes first, jumping out to a 3-0 lead.

• 3rd Inning: Minooka adds a pair of runs to extend the advantage to 5-0.

• 4th Inning: Minooka tacks on two more runs to take a commanding seven-run lead.

• 5th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central breaks the shutout with a two-run frame.

• 6th Inning: Minooka explodes for five runs, triggering the run rule to walk off with a 12-2 victory.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Minooka: Addisonn Crumly (2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R); Chloe Miner (2-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R); Emma Best (2-2, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB); Olivia Boyd (2-2, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB); Lexi Bukala (2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R); Ava Nahs (2-3); Ava Carlson (1-2, 3 R, 2 BB); Addison Stehlik (1-4).

• Lincoln-Way Central: Juno Lundquist (2-2, 1 R); Audrey Hennings (1-2); Fiona Fares (1 R, 1 HBP); Mia Degliomini (2 SB); E. McLaughlin (1 BB).

PITCHING:

• Minooka: Emma Best (W, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K).

• Lincoln-Way Central: Madelyn Lanigan (2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K); Annelysia Reina (2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K); Lauren Podkul (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K); Hope Davis (0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K).