The Fenwick High School softball team handily defeated Montini Catholic twice during the regular season. But when the two met for the third time at the IHSA Class 3A Montini Sectional, June 5, the Broncos won when it mattered most, handing the Friars a 12-3 defeat.
“It’s one of those constant reminders that you can’t take any game or opponent for granted,” said Fenwick coach Valerie Jisa. “[Montini] didn’t pitch their freshman, Cameron Fox, against us in the season. That was super-smart. She threw a great rise ball, and we displayed some patience with it, but they got the lead and energy early.”
Montini, the sectional’s fifth seed and visiting team, scored early and often against second-seed Fenwick (13-12). The Broncos scored in each of the first six innings, including three runs each in the second and sixth, and two apiece in the third and fourth.
The Friars managed six hits off Fox in the game. Leah Lowery and Alex Purta both went 2-for-3, and Lowery drove in all of Fenwick’s runs with an RBI single in the third inning and a two-run double in the sixth.
“I knew we’d have to work, but I thought we would at least reach the supersectional,” Jisa said. “But [the Montini game] got away from us quickly. We tried to get the momentum going, but it was just too much. Also, we made four errors, and that usually doesn’t happen with us defensively.”
While Jisa is disappointed with the unexpected early end to the season, she’s taking a look at the big picture and likes where the program is heading.
“These are the moments that show you’ve got to leave it all out on the field, play each game like it’s your last,” Jisa said. “I’m bummed because this is totally different from last year [third-place finish in 3A] and my first heartbreak as a coach. But I’m learning so much from this game.”
Going forward, Jisa plans to add a spring break trip for next year in order to establish early team bonding.
“I need to make sure the standard gets back to where it needs to be,” she said. “Once you go downstate, you want to go back so bad.”
Fenwick loses five players – Lowery, Caity Barganski, Kailey Janda, Molly Mullen, and Gabriella Simon – to graduation. But Purta leads a list of seven returning players for the Friars, including sophomore classmate Bella Bigham, freshmen Ellie Brady and Sofia Kateeb, and juniors Sophia Leonardi, Gianna Pescatore, and Margaret Price.
“I do know one thing for sure: myself and my returning players have a major hunger for a deep postseason run every year going forward,” Jisa said. “I’m very excited about next season.”
