Girls Softball: Reavis Bests Lemont in Pitcher's Duel

Touching All the Bases: It was all about the starting pitchers as Reavis defeated Lemont 2-0 Tuesday. Rams starter Caitlyn Balandis threw a complete game one-hit shutout against the Indians. She was perfect until the fifth inning. Indians starter Becka Anderson struggled in the first two innings, allowing the only runs of the game, but regained composure and struck out 15. 

Patch’s MVP: Caitlyn Balandis, Reavis. She had a perfect game going for 4 2/3 innings and allowed only two baserunners the entire game. She struck out 13, including six in a row.

Key Stat: The two pitchers combined for 28 of the 42 outs in the game. When defensive stops are added, they had a hand in 33 outs. 

Lemont’s Leaders: Becka Anderson struck out 15 Reavis hitters in the contest. She struck out the side three times. Right fielder Carly Jaworski had the team’s only hit in the fifth, a towering double to left that narrowly missed being a home run. 

Reavis’s Leaders: In addition to Balandis: Second baseman Kayla Mangiapane was 3-for-3, scoring a run. She also played solid defense, keeping the Indians from adding base runners during their bunt attempts. 

Quotable: Lemont coach Christine Traina: “We still gotta find our rhythm and get it together.” 

Team Records: Lemont is 1-1. Reavis is 5-2 and 4-0 in South Suburban Conference Red play.

What’s Next: The Indians play at home Wednesday against Richards. The Rams play at home Wednesday against T.F. North.