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Sports

Softball: Richards Falls One Win Shy of State Berth

Benet 4, Richards 1. Bulldogs savor super season despite supersectional setback.

Touching All the Bases: Despite a strong effort, Richards lost to Benet 4-1 in the Class 4A Hinsdale South Supersectional Monday to fall one win shy of its first state appearance since placing second in 1985.

Benet, which placed third in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, is headed to state for the first time.

The Redwings scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 1-0 lead. Richards tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI single by Danielle Kappel in the top of the sixth, but left runners on second and third. Benet then erupted for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take control of the game.

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Richards stranded two runners on base in the first, third and fourth innings against Benet ace Allyson Staats.

Brianna LeBeau (25-3) allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out seven in the loss.

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Patch’s MVP: Benet’s Marissa Panko went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. The Redwings' No. 8 hitter had an RBI single in the fourth inning that put her team ahead 1-0 and then added the game-winning RBI with a single in the sixth.

Richards Leaders: Brianna LeBeau (1-for-1, double, 2 walks; 6 innings pitched), Danielle Kappel (RBI single), Hannah Jenkins (single, run), Breanna Kaminski (single, sacrifice bunt), Sam Kusta (single, sacrifice bunt), Kailie Tobin (single), Kristina Apato (single).

Benet Leaders: Marissa Panko (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, run), Allyson Staats (winning pitcher, 1 run, 7 hits), Maeve McGuire (3-for-3, 2 doubles, walk, RBI)

Quotable I: Richards coach Julie Folliard on the season: “We fell a bit short, but we’re going out for pizza. We were going to celebrate one way or another because, 'What a great year.' We made it all the way to supersectionals and we just couldn’t be prouder of our team. It’s just a fun bunch of talented, talented girls.”

Quotable II: Richards pitcher Brianna LeBeau on Benet’s hitting: “Usually, not a lot of people can hit my changeup and they did a great job of it. There were some key moments that broke the game open for them. We were on a high (after tying the game in the sixth) and then they came right back and stole it from us.”

Quotable III: Benet’s Marissa Panko, who contributed a pair of RBIs, on the win: “Our whole team just wanted this really bad. I just wanted to come through for the team. I’m just so glad we won.”

Team records: Benet improves to 30-10, while Richards finishes the season at 32-3.

What’s Next: Benet will take on either Sandburg or Moline in the Class 4A state semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria.

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