In a CSL South conference matchup, the Evanston Wildkits defeated the Waukegan Bulldogs 3-2 today on a walk-off double by Izzy Bergman in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Allie Managlia pitched the win, keeping her record perfect in conference (3-0). She struck out a team high of 14 along the way.
Managlia started the game by striking out the side.
Izzy Bergman started the offensive game with a walk and came around to score on a hit by sophomore Caitlin Boer. Maddie Reiches then singled before Emma Maxwell hit a hard shot but was cut down on a nice play by Alex Weidner at third base.
The top of the second brought a run for the Bulldogs on hits from Benita Bones and Alex Weidner. The Kits offense was quiet in the second. In the third, the Bulldogs scored once again on hits from Melissa Anderson, Ashley Lambert, and Araceli Cruz.
For the next three innings, only one hit was allowed by each pitcher. Amber Dimitroff had the hit for the Bulldogs, and Caroline Duke had the hit for the Kits.
In the top of the seventh, with a 2-1 lead, the Bulldogs tried to extend their lead as they reached first and third with a walk by Kary Voight and a hit from Melissa Anderson. However, Allie Managlia stuck out the side to keep the Bulldogs off of the board.
The Kits knew that the bottom of the seventh was their last chance, and had their 6,7,8 hitters in the lineup stepping to the plate. After a strikeout, sophomore Emily Mathyer singled to keep the Kits’ hopes alive.
Sophomore Jackie Kretchmer then worked a full count, fouled off 11 pitches, and finally drew a walk in an extremely dramatic at bat.
After another out, freshman Izzy Bergman stepped to the plate. On the very first pitch she saw, she crushed the all over the left fielder’s head and to the wall.
Mathyer scored from second and Kretchmer hustled as hard as she could – the ball was relayed from left field and Kretchmer beat the ball by a step, sliding in safely for the win to give the Kits a winning record in conference.