By Randy Whalen

Many years ago, before anyone on the Joliet Central softball team was around, there was a high-scoring MLB game where the Chicago Cubs lost 23-22 to the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Well, 44 years and 5 days after that crazy affair, the Joliet Central softball team found itself in a similar type of game in its opening postseason contest.

But, unfortunately for the Steelmen, they couldn't score enough runs and saw their season end in a 24-14, five-inning loss to Thornwood on Monday 22 in a Class 4A Regional Quarterfinal at Joliet Central.

The Thunderbirds (9-13 final record), who were the No. 17 seed in the Lockport Township Sectional, then lost to top-seeded Lincoln-Way Central 17-0 in four innings on Tuesday, May 23 in a semifinal as part of the Bolingbrook Regional. Joliet Central (2-23), which was the No. 16 seed, lost its 23rd straight after winning the opening two games of the season.

"I'll remember our good energy and how we were always there for each other," Joliet Central freshman Haydn Voss said. "Sure, our record was a little frustrating but some things you can't control. We came into this game pretty excited. It just didn't work out the way we wanted."

It was the fourth time this season that the Steelmen scored double digits in runs. But it was the first time since a 23-12 home loss to TF South on Wednesday, March 29. The other two were their first two wins of the year, 19-8 at East Aurora on March 15, and 18-8 over host Rich Township on March 21.

But against Thornwood, they simply fell behind by too many runs and couldn't catch up.

"We issued 23 walks or hit-by-pitches, gave up only six hits and that led to 24 runs for them," Joliet Central coach Jon Rashid said. "It can't happen, or that's what happens."

That is what happened, especially in the top of the first inning. The Thunderbirds sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs, without a hit. There were seven walks, five hit batters, three runs scoring on wild pitches, and the lone Joliet Central error of the game. 

"We had brought some freshmen and sophomores up recently," Rashid said. "That was a team we thought we could beat. But not giving up 23 free bases."

Krista Sierra, one of two Steelmen seniors, started in the circle. After the first inning, sophomore Sienna Ibarra came into pitch. But Sierra was brought back in during the fifth inning and had two big strikeouts to try to keep her team in the game.

"I guess I'd say it was nerves," Sierra said of her first-inning issues. "It was a big game and it took me a long time to get my mindset."

Her mindset was great at the plate. There she was 4-for-4 and also walked in the bottom of the first. She scored twice and had a trio of RBI, including two in the fifth, the final two of the season. But she was forced at third to end the game as Joliet Central came up a run short of extending it.

"It was very exciting considering I was in a slump," Sierra said. "So to get out of it. What I'm going to remember most is my teammates. They cheered all season and it was fun. Everyone was so supportive."

The Steelmen scored four runs in the first. Voss, who was 3-for-3 with a pair of walks, five runs scored, and four RBI, had an RBI single to score junior shortstop Natalie Reyes, who had a leadoff double. Voss scored on a wild pitch and sophomore left fielder Victoria Godinez and Sienna Ibarra had RBI.

Mya Wayne, a senior shortstop, who is the class valedictorian and will be going to Louisville on an academic scholarship, smashed the Thunderbirds' first hit. That was a bases-loaded triple off the wall in center field. Wayne later added a two-run triple to highlight a five-run fifth. She finished 2-for-2 with two walks, a hit by pitch, four runs scored, and five RBI. 

Junior right fielder, Joselyn Davenport, had a sacrifice fly for the Steelmen in the second. It was 16-5 after two innings. Thornwood scored three more in the top of the third on a two-run single by sophomore second baseman Sydney Ford (4 runs, 2 RBI) and an RBI single from sophomore catcher Ashley Phillips (2 hits, 4 runs, 3RBI). Sophomore center fielder Akira Jones (4 runs, RBI) also had a single in the inning as the Thunderbirds had three of their six hits in the frame.

There was more excitement in the third. A conductor of one of the dozen Metra trains that passed by on the train tracks above the right field wall, threw back three softballs that were on the tracks. That delayed the game for a moment.

In the bottom of the third, the Steelmen scored four more runs to make it 19-9. Freshman catcher Neveya Ibarra (2 hits, 2 runs, RBI) had an RBI single to left center. But the big blow was a three-run inside-the-park home run that was placed perfectly in the right field corner by Voss.  

"I wasn't expecting it," Voss said of her second homer of the season. "My other one (on May 9 against West Aurora) went over the railroad tracks. Next year we will have to take a lot of knowledge and have good communication. We will have to have team bonding and work together."

Joliet Central, however, left the bases loaded in the third and the fourth and stranded 12 runners in the game. After Thornwood went in order in the top of the fourth, the Steelmen scored three in the bottom of the inning as Sierra had an RBI single, Voss (walk) scored on an error, and center fielder Sam Hernandez, who is the only other Steelmen senior, walked with the bases loaded. That made the score 19-12 but that was as close as it would get.

The win total was the same as the previous season for the Steelmen.

"We could really never put together throwing strikes, playing defense, and hitting at that same time," Rashid said. "It's an approach thing. We have to have more girls play in the summer or fall and just get out there and practice in the offseason.  

"But I will remember how the girls battled and were always loud and supporting each other. The girls were always doing what was right and staying positive. We have a really good group of kids."