Girl's Softball: Lemont Junior Valone's Three-Run Triple Sparks Win

Lemont extended its winning streak to nine as the Indians responded from an early deficit in the first inning to defeat the Tinley Park Titans 6-3 Tuesday.

Tinley Park scored two in the first inning, both on Lemont fielding errors.

But Lemont answered in the second with a solo homer off the bat of junior Carli Kavanagh, which cut the lead in half to 2-1.

Lemont starting pitcher Becka Anderson settled down after the first and tossed a four shutout innings heading into the sixth.

The Indians took the lead in the third inning off a single from sophomore Erin Nagel and consecutive walks to sophomore Carly Jaworski and Kavanagh. Lemont junior Valone then connected on a three-run triple to go up 4-2.

In the top of the sixth, Tinley Park Megan McCampbell hit a single and ultimately scored off of Katlyn Sebastian pinch-hit single.

But Tinley Park would not get any closer and Lemont junior Valone added a triple and later scored on a Tinley Park error.

Lemont junior Alexis Valone  went 1-for-3 in the game with a triple, three RBI and a run scored.

All of Tinley Parks runs were unearned and the Titans  left five runners stranded on the base paths. 

Kavanagh went 2-for-3 with a homer, RBI and two runs, while junior Alyssa Stube went to 2-for-3 at the dish and freshman Rachel Hall went 1-for-2 with a triple.

"We did a nice job with the bats," said Lemont head coach Christine Traina. "These are two good teams. You have to play your A-game if you want to win these games down the stretch."

Meanwhile, Anderson threw a five-strikeout complete game allowing three unearned runs on four hits.  

"We've had a lack of defense," said Tinley Park head coach Wendy Pod. "We have to stay positive after losing a game like this. We'll see Lemont in our regionals."

Lemont is now 20-6 (10-6) on the season and will return to action Thursday against Hillcrest.