QND softball team can’t get critical hit in Class 2A sectional semifinal setback to Williamsville

MACOMB, Ill. — The outcome came down to one crucial difference.

The Williamsville softball team put two hits together in the same inning to plate a run. Quincy Notre Dame didn’t.

With scoring chances limited as QND’s Caitlin Bunte and Williamsville’s Izzy Nowack engaged in a pitchers’ duel, one run loomed large as the Bullets pulled off a 1-0 victory in the semifinals of the Class 2A Macomb Sectional.

“It’s one of those days where you need a break or two to make it happen, and we just didn’t do it,” said Raiders coach Eric Orne, whose team ends its season with a 27-5 record.

The opportunities existed for a break or two to change the outcome.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Raiders put runners on first and second when Madalyn Boyer led off with a single and Cadence Smith delivered a one-out single. After Sophia White’s sacrifice put both runners in scoring position, Boyer was picked off third base by Bullets catcher Ella Greer to end the inning.

In the fourth, Madalyn Boyer reached on an error with one out and Josie Boyer singled to left field. However, Smith struck out and White popped out to Williamsville second baseman Kiyah Kmett.

“I didn’t think we were aggressive enough knowing (Nowack) was going to throw a lot of outside pitches, to fight them off at least or to sit there and take the ball the other way” Orne said. “We were a little off today is the best way to put it.”

The Raiders had one last chance to make something happen in the bottom of the seventh.

Josie Boyer led off with a walk, but she was caught stealing second on the second pitch of Ellie MIller’s at-bat. Miller lined out to first base and White struck out to end the game.

“We just didn’t barrel it up today like we have been,” Orne said.

Nowack allowed five hits — all singles — and one walk while striking out six against an offense that had averaged 12.5 hits per game during a 12-game win streak.

She was nearly outdone by Bunte, who allowed only four hits, walked one and struck out 11. The senior left-hander couldn’t overcome allowing an earned run in the second inning.

Nowack walked leading off the top of the second. One out later, Williamsville’s Bailey Wherley singled to right field with both runners ending up in scoring position. Lucy Nell dropped a single into center field to allow courtesy runner Shelby Pre Fountain to score the game’s only run.

Bunte allowed only two baserunners over the final five innings.

“She gave us an opportunity to win the ballgame and did everything she could,” Orne said.

She just couldn’t outpitch the Raiders’ slump at the plate.

“Unfortunately today wasn’t our best hitting day,” Orne said.

Orne knew it didn’t diminish what his team accomplished.

“I really found true joy coaching them this year,” Orne said. “It was a great team that I had a lot of fun with. Usually this time of year, I’m kind of worn out, but I really enjoyed going to the field every day. Whether it was sitting in the dugout laughing or doing the drill work we did, I enjoyed a lot of what this team brought to me.”

Williamsville (20-13) will play in Friday’s sectional championship against either Auburn or Stanford Olympia, who meet in Wednesday’s other semifinal.

Photos courtesy Andrea Ratermann