SOUTH BEND — It was both the small and the big that combined to earn the South Bend Adams softball team a much-needed win Tuesday, May 12.
The Eagles used a smart dose of small ball and a big display of guts in the circle by pitcher Abigail Kadar to spoil Senior Night for city and conference rival South Bend Riley. Adams used the bunt to perfection to open the game and again to help plate the winning run late for a thrilling, energy packed 3-2 Northern Indiana Conference victory over the host Wildcats.
Sophomore Kadar was nails in the circle in less-than-ideal weather conditions, as the contest was played in a steady rain that turned heavier late in the contest.
The Eagles snapped a six-game losing skid to improve to 8-9-1 overall and move to 5-4 in the NIC. The Wildcats dropped to 8-11 overall and 1-7 in NIC action with their fourth straight loss.
The Eagles, who’s dugout was loud all game, simply found a way to win. Adams tied the game 2-2 with a single run in the sixth inning on a Riley throwing error.
The Eagles then used three straight bunts to score the game winner in their final at bat in the seventh frame. Sophomore Claire McNally reached on a perfect bunt to start the inning. Sophomore Brooklyn Young then followed with a fine sacrifice bunt and freshman Gabby Vandewielle capped it with another gorgeous bunt that saw McNally race home as the throw to first was not handled.
“That felt good,” said a smiling Jami Redman, coach of the Eagles. “We needed that. Number one tonight we needed a win. We have lost a lot of close games to some very good teams lately.”
Adams took a 1-0 lead in the first on a pair of bunt hits by junior Julia McNellis and sophomore Mackenzie Miller to open the game and then an RBI single by fab freshman Brayah Williams-Winston, the team’s best hitter. Riley senior pitcher Elliana Gonzales then fanned the next three batters, two looking to end the frame.
Riley took the lead at 2-1 with a pair of tallies in the home half of the third. A single by Gonzales and an Adams error made it 1-1. Sophia Woods then drove home another run with a fielder’s choice to make it 2-1 in favor of the Wildcats.
Kadar was money when the Wildcats threatened to keep her team in it. She hit a batter and walked another to open the sixth inning with the game knotted at 2-2. After a very smart trip to the circle by coach Redman, the savvy sophomore got a strikeout and a flyout. She then walked a batter to load the bases before getting the biggest strikeout of the game to end the sixth.
The Wildcats had the tying run on base in their final at bat after a hit batter before Kadar got the final Riley hitter to fly out to end the game.
“Everyone on our team was ready and excited tonight and that really helped,” said Kadar. “We knew we had to show up and all of us knew we had to play well. We came out with energy and we wanted it more. We brought it tonight.
“As far as being in jams, you just have to bet on yourself out there. For me, it’s the person who’s in front of me. You have to have that strike them out mentality out there as a pitcher.”
Redman, whose team lost 7-6 and 10-0 to Riley a season ago, praised her pitcher.
“Abby is just an amazing gamer who has such a bright future in softball,” Redman remarked. “Her softball IQ is just unbelievable. She knows what she needs to do out there. She has a plan. Gonzales had a single and a double her first two at bats and then Abby strikes her out the last two times.”
The Wildcats were without head coach Shawn Jenkins Tuesday night. Jenkins was ejected from a game at LaPorte May 9 and was serving part of an automatic two-game suspension imposed by the IHSAA for being ejected.
“I told our girls I was impressed with how they battled tonight in these conditions,” said assistant coach Chadd Davis, who was running the Riley team. “Elliana gutted it out in the weather conditions and made them earn their way on.
“But we still have things to work on, especially defensively. Defending the bunt hurt us tonight.”
Riley’s Gonzales, who will pitch at Bethel University in Mishawaka next season, fanned eight, walked none and allowed five hits. Gonzales had a pair of hits, including a double, for the hosts. She also recorded her 500th career strikeout in the game.
Kadar finished with 10 strikeouts to go with four walks, while allowing just three hits.
Riley got an incredible diving catch by rightfielder Chloe Ginter to end the fifth inning.
The Wildcats honored seniors Gonzales, Ginter and Kaila Person prior to the contest.
Adams, whose team has just two seniors, will host Riley Thursday night at Clay High School and then play in the Cleats vs. Cancer Tournament Saturday at Mishawaka Marian. Riley, after the game with Adams Thursday, will play at Valparaiso on Saturday.
Both teams are slated to compete in the Class 4A Penn Sectional. Adams is scheduled to face Michigan City on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Riley is set to face No. 5 and defending sectional champion Penn on May 27 at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Adams softball rallies to edge rival Riley
Reporting by Scott Davidson, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
