In a well played regional game in Wheeling, Glenbrook North and Evanston went back and forth for the majority of the game before GBN came away with the win.
The Kits offense was quiet in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first inning, Jenny McTague led off the GBN offense with a homerun over the 220 foot fence. Allie Managlia then struck out the next two batters and fielded a ground ball to end the inning.
In the top of the second, the Kits got that run back and then another run to give themselves the lead. Maddie Reiches started the inning with a single. Emma Maxwell hit a line drive to centerfield, which was caught. Jenna Ehrensaft then bunted, and the third baseman threw the ball past the first baseman.
Caitin Boer grounded out to the shortstop, but Maddie Reiches made a great running play — getting off of third base enough to make the shortstop look at her, then breaking as soon as the shortstop threw the ball to first.
Reiches slid into home safely to tie the game at 1. Allie Managlia then came through with a hit to left field to bring in a second run and take the lead.Allie Nortz singled before the inning was over.
In the bottom of the second, the Spartans were held on two Managlia strikeouts and a popout to first baseman Caitlin Boer.
The Kits added a run in the top of the third to give themselves a 3-1 lead. Emily Mathyer walked to start the inning. Izzy Bergman then singled. Maddie Reiches hit a ground ball to the right side to move the runners into scoring position. Emma Maxwell was robbed once again, this time on a hard line drive to right field.
Jenna Ehrensaft hit a ground ball to the third baseman, and beat it out while the third Kits’ run of the game scored.
The Spartans didn’t let the Kits have the lead for long. They scored three in the bottom of the third on a single by Hannah Rosenson and doubles by Alena Marovitz and Colleen Ahern.
The Kits bounced right back in the top of thr fourth, reclaiming the lead 5-4. With one out, Allie Nortz walked to start the offense before Caroline Duke singled. After a second out, Izzy Bergman singled and the runners were brought in by Maddie Reiches and Emma Maxwell.
The Spartans offense won out with a homerun and double by Courtney Chron and another homerun by Jenny McTague.