Warriors Bring Out Bats for Win Against Trinity

It's easy to make comparisons between the Warriors and the St. Louis Cardinals—both teams have seen incredible success in postseason play after many thought it wouldn't happen. 

On Wednesday, the Warriors (10-18) extended a postseason winning streak to four games with a 9-0 rout against Trinity Catholic (9-16) in the Class 3 sectional game. St. Charles West will now play Centralia (25-2-1) Saturday. 

The Warriors success in the post-season has been a surprise to some after they went 3-12 in the first 15 games of the season. The second half of the season has been better, with St. Charles West winning eight games in the last 15. 

But the team's hitting really took off with a 15-5 win over in district play Oct. 5. St. Charles West dominated Orchard Farm 16-6, and beat Winfield at home Oct. 7, 7-5.

"It feels really good after our regular season," junior Amanda Pavlacic said. "Coming all the way to this."

The team's success at the plate has injected a measure of confidence in players, coach Ellen Parker said. 

"Knowing that when they step in that batting box, they can make something happen," Parker said. "We're looking at pitches, we're not swinging at every pitch."

In the beginning of the season, the team was flailing at every ball. 

"Now, we're more selective, focused," she said. 

Batters got to work early in the game against Trinity, scoring two runs in the first inning. In the second inning, Pavlacic connected for a single, then stole second. Freshman Olivia Boyer hit one over the head of the third baseman, and made it to second. A hit from senior Sarah Berjer would bring both Boyer and Pavlacic in to score. 

The team scored twice in the third inning by stringing together a double from pitcher Brooke Camenzind, a single and stolen base from Pavlacic and hits from Boyer and sophomore Brianna Barry. 

Senior Shannon McNamee, freshman Ellie Ottensmeyer, senior Sarah Lindsie Heifner, and Pavlicic contributed to a three-run fourth inning. 

It's not just one player who is consistently getting the hits, Parker said, it's everyone.

Strong pitching from Camenzind helped neutralize Trinity's offense. Camenzind faced just 13 batters in the fourth through seventh innings.

"I have the motivation to try hard and I have more confidence," she said.  

Trinity Catholic Coach Michelle Patrico said her team had been looking forward to playing St. Charles West in the sectional matchup. The teams faced one another Sept. 17, and St. Charles West came away with a 7-6 win. 

But on Wednesday, things didn't come together for the Titans. Patrico said the team didn't have a lot of time to practice with a substitute shortstop who stepped in for the game. They ended the season with a 9-16 record.

"My girls, they played to the best of their ability," she said. "I can't take anything away from them. We did the best we could, that's all I can ask."