Even if they didn’t name Crete-Monee’s new softball field after her, it would be a dream come true for Sue Giannanontio.
The field was named for the former longtime coach on May 8 before the Warriors’ 22-6 loss to Oak Lawn in the field’s first night game.
Giannantonio is touched the field is named after her, but more important to her is the fact that there is a field on campus for games and practices.
“We played all of these years off campus,” she said. “We played at Crete Elementary and at Heritage Park for a few years, then we went back to Crete Elementary. It’s never been on the high-school campus.
“It’s amazing. It’s a beautiful complex that they built. It’s gorgeous. They finally did it.”
Inconvenience aside, there were other reasons she wasn’t happy with the off-campus situation.
“It was always about the kids and their safety,” Giannantonio said. “Thank God when I was coach they never had any injuries or accidents. We’re talking about a couple of miles away from the high school. If the kids couldn’t drive, they had to walk.”
She said that there were problems getting players to practice on time if they had to spend a little extra time after school.
Despite those hurdles, Giannantonio, also known as “Coach G,” put together a remarkable career.
She coached at the school for 32 years, won more than 500 games and was inducted into the Illinois Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Giannantonio guided the Warriors to 10 conference championships, had 183 all-conference players and watched 52 player graduate and go on to play softball at the next level.
One of the biggest highlights of her highlight-filled career was being able to coach her daughter, Melissa.
“It was a dream to coach her,” Sue said. “Thank God it came true.”
Beecher tops Peotone
Beecher’s softball team continued to roll with a 5-0 win over Peotone on May 6. Liliana Irwin homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Bobcats. Allie Johnson struck out 11 in earning the win.
Peotone pitcher Sophie Klawitter fanned nine in the loss.
The defending Class 2A champion Bobcats (24-0) nipped Ottawa 1-0 on May 7.
Manteno wins three of four
Manteno’s softball team scored three runs in the top of the seventh and hung on for a 7-5 road win over Joliet Catholic on May 7.
Savanna Watkins had three hits and three runs and Aubrie Goudreau drove in two runs.
The Panthers also beat Coal City 2-1 on May 4 and 18-7 on May 5. Watkins and Goudreau each drove in four runs in the second game.
The Panthers (18-6) suffered an 11-1 loss to Seneca (28-1) on May 8 on Senior Day.
Panther soccer ties, wins
Peyton Boros scored a goal with Emily Horath recording an assist on May 7 in the Manteno girls soccer team’s 1-1 tie with Marian Catholic.
The Panthers (10-8-1) topped Crete-Monee 6-0 on May 8 as Horath scored three goals. Boros, Michelle Carrera and Madison Belisle added goals, and goalie Avery Kebert earned the shutout.