The Lane Tech Indians girls softball team are CPS champions for the sixth straight season.
The Indians (24-11, 12-0) defeated the Whitney Young Dolphins 12-3 at Flames Field at UIC Saturday May 19; making it six straight city championships for Lane softball, who have now won 13 out of the last 15 titles.
“It’s a great feeling,” said sophomore second-baseman Desiree Velasquez. “Our coaches definitely push winning a lot, and just to be a part of winning team is a great feeling; you never want to be the person on the other side.”
Lane only got into trouble in the fourth inning; as three Indians errors led to a 3-run inning for the Dolphins.
“It was deflating, but our team picks each other up,” said Velasquez. “If someone makes an error, we always say ‘it’s alright, you can pick yourself up, you’ve got this.’ Our team is like a family, we help each other out. While (the 4th inning) was deflating, but we got right back into it.”
The Dolphins had their share of costly errors in the 5th inning as well, as the Indians put up 6 runs on just 3 hits. The biggest of the errors came with Velasquez at the plate; as Whitney Young first baseman Madison Freeman missed a catch from shortstop Maddie Divittorio with the bases loaded, and all three baserunners for Lane scored to give the Indians the 12-3 lead.
Velasquez finished the day 2-for-3 with 5 RBI, while sophomore third-baseman Maddie Maldonado was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. Sophomore catcher Emily Espinosa and sophomore shortstop Hailey Pieruccini also each had 2 RBI for the Indians. Senior pitcher Kaleigh Ambrose went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits while stiking out 5 and not alowing a walk.
As regionals creep up even closer on the Indians, Velasquez knows her team will focus on the task at hand; and is expecting great things come state playoff time.
“(Winning the city championship) is a good feeling,” she said. “But like our coaches said, it feels good for a while and you also have the next game to look forward to. I really think this could be our year that we can go downstate. A lot of people aren’t expecting it, but we’re a good team.”
