Benet scored 12 runs against South Elgin and eight against Neuqua Valley in early season wins. But on Tuesday, the Redwings’ bats fell silent.
Couple that fact with an adventurous day in the field for Benet, and York’s 10-0 win in five innings made perfect sense.
“Every team will have a day like this and it was that day for us,” York senior Emily York said. “It was a combination of things. We all had a bad day together.”
The first inning at The Dome in Rosemont fairly told the game’s tale as York (1-0) scored seven runs on Benet (3-1). The Dukes had four hits off Benet pitcher Megan Stoppelman, plus three walks, and a hit batsman among the 11 batters they sent to the plate.
Benet’s fielding errors compounded the matter.
“We’re young. We have two freshmen and a sophomore in the infield and they’re learning,” Benet coach Jerry Schilf said. “That was an ugly first inning and then as the game went along, our hitting got worse. One of those days.”
York shortstop Audrey Kosman started in the circle for usual No. 1 pitcher Brooke Bandy, and Kosman held Benet to four hits in the shutout.
“I just felt confident and my teammates made the plays,” Kosman said. “It’s exciting. I felt good out there, and we really hit the ball around and got around the bases.”
The big blow of the first inning was a two-out, three-RBI triple by York’s Amanda Karnatz. The Dukes scored three more in the fourth as Benet committed two errors in the inning.
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The Redwings’ lone hits came from Stephanie Abello, Meagan McCormick, Alexis Potapczak and Kiara Gallagher.
“Our bats didn’t come around. Even if you give up ten runs, you can’t win with a zero on the board,” Abello said. “York’s a good team and we didn’t have it today. After a game like this you have to have quick amnesia and I know we’ll improve on the mistakes we made.
“I have to hand it to (Kosman) but we didn’t make adjustments at the plate and we had too much miscommunication in the field.”
York coach Jenna Bode Nolan was tickled with her side’s short-benched performance.
“We came with nine eligible to play and had girls in positions they don’t normally play,” Bode Nolan said. “The girls bonded together, backed each other up, and did their job at the plate.
“Benet has a very good hitting team and there are a couple of girls we’re nervous pitching to. But Audrey’s stuff was working. We’re proud of her.”
Gary Larsen is a freelance writer.