Morton College softball coach Aaron Moore constantly preaches the message of "just one more."

Whether it's coming up with that hit to extend an inning or making a play to end an inning, the Panthers picked up on Moore's message in an amazing 23-22 10-inning Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference win over Moraine Valley April 8th at Morton East High School in Cicero.

The Panthers scored 14 runs after two outs, including their final three in the bottom of the 10th to overcome a 22-19 deficit. In a three-hour marathon, Morton College also overcame deficits of 10-1 and 16-9 to beat Moraine Valley for the first time since 2013 and end a 17-game losing streak against the Cyclones. 

"It was one of those days for the first time this season we refused to give up," Moore said. "We were able to extend innings."

First baseman Itza Gonzales went 5 for 5 with two home runs and five RBI. She was one of seven position players to hit safely. Other big days came from Natalie Mendoza-Sanchez (4 for 6, 4 RBI), Emily Bickett (4 for 6, three doubles, three RBI), Olivia Ortiz (3 for 5, triple, four runs scored), Natalie Martinez (2 for 7, home run, three runs scored) and Heather Ward (2 for 4, two runs scored, RBI). Paulina Viveros and Ailany Reyes (two RBI) both scored twice.

Part of Morton College's successful start in the Skyway stems from the Panthers' ability to flip the script, turning doubleheader losses of a year ago against McHenry and Lake County into sweeps in 2023. The Panthers partially flipped the script against Moraine Valley, losing game two by a 15-7 count.

At 5-1 in league play, Morton College is a game behind Skyway-leading Waubonsee (6-0). Morton College also has to face Prairie State, which is 5-3 in the Skyway.

Morton College also ended an eight-game losing streak at Joliet's expense by picking up an 11-10 win in game two April 6th. The Panthers banged out seven doubles as part of a 16-hit attack to fend off the Wolves, who pushed across four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Morton College's overall record of 10-20 is deceptive. The Panthers have lost five one-run games.

"If we find a way to make one more play or get one more hit, our record all of sudden gets better," Moore said.

Taking offense
Morton College's team batting average hovered around the .220s after its Florida trip. Since the Panthers are back in the Midwest, they've put together six games with 10 or more hits to boost their team batting average to .282.

Five regulars are hitting over .300 with Gonzales (.417), Bickett (.362, team-leading 21 RBI), Ortiz (.359), Reyes (.338) and Mendoza-Sanchez (.304) leading the way.

"Natalie Mendoza-Sanchez has been a great surprise," Moore noted. "She's nearly tripled the number of hits she had last year. Itza Gonzales has been really good. Once she finds her power stroke, she'll take off even more."

Mendoza-Sanchez has 14 hits this season compared to five a year ago. Her batting average has jumped 143 points, going from .161 in 2022 to .304 in 2023. Reyes is one of three Panthers to tack on 100-plus points to her batting average from last year, jumping from .194 to .338, a 144-point upward swing. Gonzales' batting average is up 157 points in a year's time from .260 to .417.

Winning ways
Morton College also has strung together three consecutive double-digit win seasons for the first time since 1997 to 1999. The Panthers already have matched last year's win total of 10.

Frequent flyer miles
The Panthers hit the road this week, heading to Danville today (Tuesday, April 11th), Kankakee (Thursday, April 13th), Highland (Saturday, April 15th) and Sauk Valley (Sunday, April 16th).