Late Lincoln-Way Central Rally Falls Short in 3-2 Loss to Lockport

NEW LENOX, Ill. — The Lincoln-Way Central varsity softball team staged a dramatic two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it was not enough to overcome a stellar pitching performance from Lockport’s Faut Bridget in a 3-2 conference loss on Monday afternoon.

Bridget was the undeniable story of the game for Lockport, tossing a complete-game gem to secure the victory. The senior ace carved up the Lincoln-Way Central lineup, recording an astounding 15 strikeouts over seven innings. She allowed just seven hits and did not walk a single batter. Although she surrendered two runs in the final frame, neither was earned, preserving her flawless ERA on the day.

Despite Bridget’s dominance, Lincoln-Way Central senior pitcher Annelysia Reina matched her pitch-for-pitch in a true pitcher’s duel. Reina was brilliant in the circle, tossing a complete game and allowing just one earned run on eight hits. She struck out two batters and issued zero walks on 105 pitches. Unfortunately for Reina, her defense committed four errors behind her, leading to a pair of crucial unearned runs for Lockport early in the contest.

Lockport capitalized on those miscues in the top of the second inning, pushing two unearned runs across to break the scoreless tie. G. DiCiolla sparked the Lockport offense, finishing with a team-high three hits, an RBI, and a run scored in four at-bats. Sydney Amschler also contributed a multi-hit performance with a pair of singles.

The visitors maintained their 2-0 advantage until the top of the fifth inning, when they added a vital insurance run. That single tally proved to be the decisive factor in the game.

Staring at a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the seventh, Lincoln-Way Central refused to go quietly. The Knights finally broke through against Bridget, scratching across a pair of unearned runs to cut the lead to 3-2. Junior Mia Degliomini was the offensive standout for the hosts, going 2-for-4 with a double. Freshman Hope Davis, junior Juno Lundquist, and Reina each chipped in with singles to keep the pressure on.

However, Bridget regained her composure and shut the door on the Knights’ comeback attempt, stranding the tying run to secure the narrow 3-2 conference win for Lockport.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 2nd Inning: Lockport capitalizes on errors to score a pair of unearned runs, taking a 2-0 lead.

• 5th Inning: Lockport tacks on an insurance run to extend its advantage to 3-0.

• 7th Inning: Lincoln-Way Central mounts a late rally, scoring two runs, but falls just short.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Lockport: G. DiCiolla (3-4, 1 RBI, 1 R); Sydney Amschler (2-4); Olivia Picciola (1-3); A. VanderTuuk (1-4); Sophia Hutera (1 R); Kate Richardson (1 SB); Blythe Jones (1 SB).

• Lincoln-Way Central: Mia Degliomini (2-4, 1 2B); Hope Davis (1-4); Juno Lundquist (1-3, 1 R); Annelysia Reina (1-3); Carly Karales (1 HBP).

PITCHING:

• Lockport: Faut Bridget (W, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 15 K).

• Lincoln-Way Central: Annelysia Reina (L, 7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K).