Pontiac Indians No Match for the Bobcats

By Dennis Bowling

Beecher’s coach Kevin Hayhurst has high expectations for freshman Ava Lorenzatti, Liliana Irwin, Makenzie Johnson. They each delivered in a monumental way on May 23rd.

Lorenzatti, a phenomenal hurler, threw six innings of no-hit softball. She allowed one hit in the seventh inning, struck out nine batters, and allowed no walks, to help Beecher eliminate Pontiac 1-0 in a pressure packed semifinal contest in the Class 2A Pontiac Sectional in Pontiac.

With the win, Beecher is 31-4 overall, and has won eight games in a row. The Bobcats were to play either Herscher (26-8) or Coal City, (28-8). They are both Illinois Central Eight Conference powers, in the Class 2A Pontiac Sectional title game.

The winner would advance to play in the Class 2A Illinois Benedictine Super Sectional, the survivor of that would advance to play in the Class 2A state tournament.

Hayhurst was extremely pleased with the play of Lorenzatti, who is 11-3 overall.

“Ava really stepped up her play,” he said. “She has played in games like this before. It was great pitching and defense. Ava outdueled her friend Elena (Krause). We were able to push across a run.”

With the Bobcats Lorenzatti and Krause engaged in a scoreless tie for four innings, it was some Hayhurst magic moves that were able to break the ice. In the fifth frame, Hayhurst pinch hit Irwin for Kendall Kasput. The lightning quick Irwin dropped down a picture-perfect bunt. She sprinted to first base and amid a cloud of dust, she was safe.

Beecher Ava Olson’s infield groundout moved Irwin to second base. Johnson dropped a single into right field, on the play, Irwin scored for a 1-0 lead, much to the delight of the very supportive Bobcat fans.

“Liliana came in off of the bench,” said Hayhurst. “She was hot. Makenzie hit the ball very hard. I have high expectations for her. She just keeps improving.”

Lorenzatti was pleased with the clutch play of Irwin and Johnson.

“Liliana has experience coming in off of the bench,” she said. “She was just ready to go. Makenzie has put in a lot of time. She does have a high IQ. That helps her to do well in the batter box.”

Johnson was elated to help the Bobcats beat the Indians.

“It is awesome to get the game winning RBI,” she said. “It just feels great to be able to win this game. I just wanted to help my teammates.”

“Liliana’s bunt was just amazing,” she said. “She is just so fast.”

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Indians were trying to rally, but the Bobcat defense turned them away. The lead off Indian batter’s single broke up the Lorenzatti no hitter. Beecher’s Elena Kvasnicka, a first baseman, threw the ball to Abby Sipple, a second baseman, who tagged the runner at second base for one out.

The second Indians batter was out at firstbase on an unassisted play by the sprinting Sipple. Lorenzatti got the final batter to seal up the win.

After one out in the third frame, the Bobcats Tayiah Scanlan and Johnson each singled. Lorenzatti and Kylie Cook each struck out to end any possible Beecher scoring threat.