Andrew Walks Off Lincoln-Way Central 6-5 in Dramatic Conference Clash

The Andrew varsity softball team delivered late-game heroics on Wednesday afternoon, scratching across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk off with a thrilling 6-5 conference victory over visiting Lincoln-Way Central.

The tightly contested battle featured multiple lead changes and a tense back-and-forth rhythm. Lincoln-Way Central struck first with a run in the opening frame, but the Thunderbolts immediately answered in the bottom half. The Knights regained the lead in the third and extended it to 3-1 in the top of the fifth. However, Andrew completely flipped the momentum in the bottom of the fifth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to erupt for four runs—only one of which was earned—and take a 5-3 advantage.

Refusing to back down, Lincoln-Way Central mounted a rally in the top of the sixth to knot the score at 5-5. Junior Mia Degliomini was the undeniable offensive star for the Knights, delivering a flawless performance at the plate. Degliomini finished a perfect 3-for-3, launching a home run and a triple while driving in two runs, scoring twice, and drawing a walk.

Freshman Hope Davis also produced a strong multi-hit effort for the Knights, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Senior Olivia Rowell and senior Annelysia Reina each added doubles to Lincoln-Way Central’s 10-hit attack.

Despite out-hitting the Thunderbolts 10-6, Lincoln-Way Central was severely hampered by three fielding errors, which ultimately led to four unearned runs crossing the plate. In the bottom of the seventh, Andrew managed to capitalize one final time, pushing across the decisive run to seal the 6-5 walk-off win.

Junior Jenna Lee shouldered the bulk of the pitching workload for the Knights, tossing 4.2 innings in relief. Lee allowed five runs, but only one was earned, while striking out one and yielding four hits. Sophomore Madelyn Lanigan started the contest, surrendering one run on two hits over two innings of work.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Scored by Innings)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Lincoln-Way Central | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 3 |
| Andrew | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 3 |

Scoring Drives

(Note: Scoring by Innings)

• 1st Inning

  • Lincoln-Way Central: Scored 1 run to take an early lead.

  • Andrew: Answered with 1 run to tie the game 1-1.

• 3rd Inning

  • Lincoln-Way Central: Plated 1 run to regain a 2-1 advantage.

• 5th Inning

  • Lincoln-Way Central: Added 1 run to extend the lead to 3-1.

  • Andrew: Erupted for 4 runs to take a 5-3 lead.

• 6th Inning

  • Lincoln-Way Central: Rallied for 2 runs to knot the score at 5-5.

• 7th Inning

  • Andrew: Pushed across the game-winning run to secure the 6-5 walk-off victory.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: Mia Degliomini 3-3 (HR, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB); Hope Davis 2-4 (2B, 1 RBI, 1 R); L. McLaughlin 1-3 (1 R); Annelysia Reina 1-4 (2B); Olivia Rowell 1-4 (2B); Jenna Lee 1-4; Bridget Barz 1-3. Team LOB: 9.

• Andrew: Stats not provided. (Team Totals: 6 Hits, 1 HR).

PITCHING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: Jenna Lee – 4.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 1 K; Madelyn Lanigan (L) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR allowed.

• Andrew: Stats not provided. (Team Totals: 7.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 3 K).

FIELDING:

• Lincoln-Way Central: 3 Errors (Juno Lundquist 1, Annelysia Reina 1, Katie Barrett 1).

• Andrew: 3 Errors.