Marengo to face tough LaSalle-Peru lineup

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EAST PEORIA – Marengo’s softball team has made no secret of its intentions now that the Indians have secured their spot in the IHSA Class 3A state championship game.

Marengo beat Bethalto Civic Memorial, 7-0, in a state semifinal Friday at the EastSide Centre to earn the right to face LaSalle-Peru in the state title game at 11:30 a.m. today.

The Indians are set on winning the school’s first state championship in any sport, but the Cavaliers will pose some threats.

LaSalle-Peru (25-6) dispatched Glenbard South more easily than Marengo expected, especially since the Indians lost to Glenbard South, 10-0, earlier this year. Cavaliers pitcher Ally Smith (20-5) was not overpowering – she struck out three and issued five walks – but was effective. She scattered five hits and only one of the Raiders’ runs was earned.

The Cavaliers collected 12 hits off Glenbard South ace Jessica Wilkes, including a three-run home run by senior Jennie Laio in the sixth for the go-ahead runs.

“It won’t be easy,” Marengo coach Dwain Nance said. “We saw LaSalle-Peru hit the ball very well against a very good Glenbard South team, so we’ll have to play really well, pitch and play defense really well, and come up with some timely hits.”

Cavaliers left fielder Nina Bacidore was 3 for 3 with an RBI, right fielder Shannon Kasap was 2 for 4 with an RBI, second baseman Micky Fassino was 1 for 4 with an RBI and Smith helped herself by going 1 for 5 with an RBI.

Extra innings: The Indians have outscored their opponents 44-8 in six postseason games. ... Bacidore and Marengo pitcher Chloe Montgomery tied the Class 3A state tournament record for most hits in a game with three. Coincidentally, the record was set in 2008 by Bartonville Limestone’s Sierra Redmon against Marengo pitcher Sarah Steinmann. ... Indians sophomore third baseman Stephanie Cartwright was the only Class 3A player to steal a base Friday. Cartwright stole second in the bottom of the first inning against Civic Memorial.