Panthers Take Out Chicago Christian

By Dennis Bowling

Manteno coach Josh Carlile’s triple threat of junior Alyssa Dralle, and sophomores Macy Iwanus, and Ava Peterson, each came out amped up. Chicago Christian was unable to contain them on May 16.

In the circle, Dralle allowed one hit and fanned two batters. Iwanus, a first baseman, was 4-for-4, drove in 2 rbi, Peterson, a centerfielder, was 2-for-3, knocked in a team-high 5 rbi, to help Manteno eliminate Chicago Christian 15-0 (four innings) in the semifinal round of the Class 2A Beecher Regional in Beecher.

The No. 1 seeded Beecher (29-4) will play No. 4 seeded Manteno (20-5) in the title game of the Class 2A Beecher Regional on May 20 at 11 a.m.  The winner will advance and play in the semifinal round of the Class 2A Pontiac Sectional on May 23 at 4:30 p.m.

“We play tough competition,” said Carlile. “We just rose to the occasion. Alyssa made some adjustments early.  She was able to get the ball in the zone.”

“Macy just hits the ball hard,” he said. “She has a great approach. She is patient but aggressive. That is tough to teach.”

“Ava just put the barrel on the ball,” he said. “It just hopped off of her bat.”

In the first inning, the Panthers scored one run. Manteno’s Lily Bivona walked. Jaz Manau (2 rbi) crushed a double to left field, on the play, and Bivona scored the first run.

In the second frame, Manteno scored six runs for a comfortable 7-0 lead. A Bivona (2 rbi) single drove in Alyssa Singleton (3 rbi) for the second run. Ava Pequette flied out to center field, on the play Kenzie Hespen scored the third run.

Iwanus wacked a double, Bivona scored for the fourth run. Drew Hosselton’s single knocked in Iwanus to make it 5-0. Peterson crushed a triple to centerfield, Manau and Hosselton scored for the seventh run.

“I was just able to get my swing back,” said Peterson. “It is just where it needs to be. Macy is just so consistent. Something good always happens with her. Alyssa was not giving up anything.”

Manteno scored eight runs in the fourth frame. Iwanus started the rally crushing a triple to left field.

“I just want to help my team,” said Iwanus. “Ava had a great game. She put her heart and soul into it. Alyssa helped keep us in the game.”

The highlight of the fourth inning rally was Peterson ripping a triple to centerfield. That scored three runs for a 10-0 lead. A Dralle double drove in Peterson for the eleventh run.

“I trust my teammates,” said Dralle. “I just throw strikes and they make the plays. Everything just felt great.”

“Macy’s hitting was amazing,” she said. “She is a confident hitter. She has a good swing. Ava made great contact with the ball.”

In the first inning, the Manteno defense made a great play. The Knights first batter walked. The second Chicago Christian batter grounded into a double play, the Panthers shortstop Syd Sosnowski flipped the ball to second baseman Bivona, who tossed it to first baseman Iwanus to complete the double play.

In the third frame, Manteno’s first baseman Iwanus made an impressive defensive play. The Knight first batter walked. The second Chicago Christian batter hit a screaming line drive to Iwanus. She caught the ball and then tagged first place to complete the play. Dralle struck out the next batter to get out of the inning.