By Dennis Bowling
Peotone senior Mackenzie Strough, a talented hurler, was able to put aside some right arm issues. She was able to quiet the hot hitting Crete-Monee Warriors on April 15.
In the circle, Strough was in complete control, she allowed six scattered hits, and fanned a season-high eleven batters, to help Peotone beat Crete-Monee 4-3 in a nonconference battle in Peotone.
With the win, Strough is 1-0 overall and the Blue Devils are 3-7 overall. Coach Strough was quite pleased with the performance of his daughter Mackenzie and her catcher Layla Johnson, who drove in the game winning RBI.
“Mackenzie did what she needed to do to win the game,” said coach Strough. “She was throwing strikes. She let them hit the ball.”
“Layla had a nice game,” he said. “She was able to drive in the game winning run. She did a nice job of catching the ball too. We were able drive in some runs.”
“Madyson (Kibelkis) got a big hit for us,” he said. “That scored some key runs. She did a great job of playing defense and catching the ball.”
“We just want to keep getting better,” he said. “Progress is being made.”
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Blue Devils and Warriors were tied at 3-all. With two outs, Peotone’s Olivia Smaga singled. The Blue Devils Ava Kosmos singled and Smaga went to third base. Layla Johnson dropped a picturesque bloop single into shallow right field, and on the play, Smaga scored for the 4-3 win. The supportive Peotone fans were happy with Johnson’s clutch hit.
In the top of the seventh inning, pitcher Strough got the Warriors out in order, to secure the win.
“My right arm isn’t hurting that bad,” said pitcher Strough. “My defense just went out and did their job. Layla is solid at the plate. And, that was just what we needed. We communicate well. Madyson is in the outfield. She can catch everything. She did well at the plate too. We worked well today. We all stayed positive.”
In the top of the third inning, the Warriors scored two runs for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third frame, the Blue Devils managed to rally and regain the momentum. To start the inning, Johnson singled. After one out, Strough and Meghan O’Connor each singled to load the bases.
Kibelkis, a three sport standout, and a high achiever in the classroom, blasted a double to centerfield; and on the play, Johnson, Strough, and O’Connor each scored for the 3-2 lead. The Blue Devils fans were jubilant and they were celebrating.
“I was able to find a gap in the outfield,” said Kibelkis. “I just knew that I had to hit the ball there. I had to do my job. It feels really good to be able to help my teammates. My hitting is just starting to come around.”
“Mackenzie pitched a real good ball game,” she said. “I give her a lot of credit for her effort. She was strong on the mound.”
“I was just so happy for Kayla,” she said. “This win should boost our confidence.”
Hopefully, this very positive Blue Devils win, should help them to turn their season around, and hopefully win some more games.