By Bobby Narang
The Wheaton North High School softball team is on a roll.
The Falcons picked an ideal time to start a hot streak – late in the regular season.
By winning their sixth straight game Monday, May 13 against Glenbard North, the Falcons are on track to win their first DuKane Conference championship since 1986.
The Falcons belted two home runs in a four-run explosion in the bottom of the sixth inning to shock the visiting Panthers.
Wheaton North head coach Allie Ravanesi said her team still has tough conference games against Geneva and Lake Park, but she gave them credit for making an impressive comeback to move a step closer to setting a new standard in program history.
“I think we’re two games ahead of Glenbard North,” Ravanesi said. “We’re really trying to build this program and not give up. They have the talent and we have the skills, the hitters, and pitchers, to come back. We’ve been trying to get into their heads about playing consistently fundamental softball and not to give up. I’m so happy for them. They’re a great ground an in sync with each other.”
Senior pitcher Erin Metz (14-5) battled some wildness, mainly late in the game, to earn the victory. She only gave up one hit in tossing a complete game effort, walking four and striking out 10 batters. Her only allowed-run came on a two-run home blast by Glenbard North’s Tru Medina, her 12th home run of the season, in the top of the sixth.
“I didn’t have it as much as I usually do today, but this team is really good and I can rely on my teammates to come through,” Metz said. “(Tru) is an amazing hitter. I knew we were down, but still had two chances left. My teammates really came through to get the win. We’re now one step closer to winning conference. It’s a nice feeling to be this close to winning it.”
The Falcons (22-5, 10-2) led 1-0 in the sixth until Medina’s moon shot gave the Panthers (16-8, 9-4) a 2-1 edge.
But, Wheaton North’s Monica Kading drilled a solo shot in the bottom half and her teammate, Reagan Crosthwaite smacked a two-run homer. Makayla Grantz followed with a run-scoring double that hit the bottom of the fence.
Crosthwaite, who has a team-best 16 home runs, muscled out the two-run homer, relying on her training to not get fooled on the changeup.
“I made sure to keep all my weight back and stay on my back leg because timing has been a big focus for me this year. It’s crazy that we’re making history right now. We all knew as a team that this was the game we had to win.”