Indians’ offense turns in onslaught

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MARENGO – The Marengo softball team did just about everything right Saturday, much to the dismay of visiting Belvidere.

The 11-1, five-inning rout also gave the Indians the IHSA Class 3A Marengo Regional softball title. Fifteen minutes after the game, players still were smiling and posing for pictures on what quickly became a memorable afternoon.

“I told the girls before the game it was important to put the ball in play,” Marengo coach Dwain Nance said. “The top of our lineup did a great job of getting on base today.”

Every Marengo starter got a hit, and the Nos. 1-3 spots in the lineup went a combined 7-for-11 with six runs scored and two RBIs. Even more staggering of a statistic was that the Nos. 1-3 hitters laid down six bunts – including one sacrifice – during the win.

Sophomore Laura Roudabush had a strong game batting in the No. 2 spot, going 4-for-4 with three bunt singles and two runs scored. After jumping ahead, 1-0, after one inning, the Indians struck twice in the second to make it 3-0 after two.

“This is really exciting, winning a regional title,” Roudabush said.

In the bottom of the third, Marengo opened the floodgates, scoring six times. The highlight of the inning came off the bat of sophomore Chloe Montgomery. With the Indians ahead, 3-0, at the time, Montgomery launched a three-run home run to straightaway center – her first varsity home run – making it 6-0.

“It’s a great feeling (to homer), but the team winning is more important,” Montgomery said.

Marengo (29-6) never looked back, scoring five more runs to coast to victory. Junior starter and winning pitcher Danielle Simons (19-2) allowed one earned run in four innings. Belvidere senior Kaitlyn Nieft’s leadoff single in the top of the fifth was the lone hit Simons allowed.

Belvidere (12-24) knew beating Marengo would be extremely difficult. The Indians made the task seem even taller with several highlight-reel defensive plays.

“We’re glad to be here,” Belvidere coach Danielle Johnson said after the game. “We knew Marengo was a very good team.”

The Indians now advance to the Class 3A Maregno Sectional, where they will face Vernon Hills at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Vernon Hills defeated Wauconda, 4-0, on Saturday in the Wauconda Regional championship game.