Marist gets a lot of attention because of its offense.
Monday against Lincoln-Way West, the RedHawks proved against a very good team they’re more than just an offensive powerhouse. They can field, and pitcher Zariya Gonzalez can beat you with her arm.
Gonzalez pitched a six-hitter while adding her second home run of the season in leading her team to a 2-1 victory in a tune-up for the playoffs. Gonzalez’s spot in the order also scored both Marist runs.
“I knew I had a solid defense behind me and they were going to make the plays,” Gonzalez said. “This was great preparation for the playoffs because they only lost [two] games and we were motivated to give them their [third] loss.”
The left-handed-hitting Gonzalez started the bottom of the second against Warriors pitcher Morghan Dieringer with a home run to left-center to give her team a 1-0 lead.
The Warriors (30-3) tied the game at 1 in the fourth when a single by Rachael Luckett (2-for-3) scored Casey Fuerst (double).
RedHawks right fielder Julie Trellicoso pulled off the defensive play of the day in the sixth when she threw out Luckett at home with two outs after a single by Kayla Seymour.
The RedHawks (26-8) scored the winning run in their half of the sixth on an RBI single up the middle by Jill Kenney off Warriors relief pitcher Amanda Ruskowsky.
Gonzalez got Dani Morgan to fly out deep to left with a runner on first to end the game.
“[Zariya] came out focused and she continues to come through for us and is a great asset to the team,” Marist coach Denise Bromberek said. “One game at a time. We just need to focus on the present and not the past.”
Emily Ray was 2-for-3 for the Warriors.
“We’re doing everything we can to get ready for that first [playoff] game against Joliet Catholic,” Lincoln-Way West coach Heather Novak said. “We feel confident that our kids have played in a bunch of different situations.”
