Morton College softball coach Aaron Moore couldn't have drawn up a better script, but he certainly wished for a better ending.

It's been 28 years between softball league championships at Morton College, but the 2023 Panthers were in position to rewrite history with a chance to play for the Illinois Skyway College Conference title. 

The Panthers pounded out 31 hits in 9-4, 9-1 sweep of Prairie State 9-4 and 9-1 April 21st in Chicago Heights to set up a showdown against undefeated Waubonsee Sunday (April 23rd) at home.

It was a tall order as the Panthers needed a sweep or a split at worse. Morton College was one swing of the bat away from a chance at a split, but Waubonsee socked seven home runs to pull off the 13-1, 8-6 sweep at Goss Field. Waubonsee moved to 8-0 in Skyway play, while Panthers closed the door on one of their best Skyway seasons in recent memory at 7-3.

"I think this was a huge thing for us," Moore said. "We gave ourselves a chance to be in position for the conference title in our last league game."

The Panthers (14-29 overall) were no-hit through the first four innings in both games before finding their offensive groove in the second contest with three home runs in the final three innings.

Down 4-0, Kennedi Meinecke broke up Waubonsee's no-hit bid with a pinch-hit home run to start the fifth. Itza Gonzales and Heather Ward contributed RBI singles and the contest was even at 4. However, Waubonsee matched Morton College's output in the bottom of the frame to retake the lead at 8-4 behind Taylor Hamaker's third home run of the day and a two-run triple by No. 9 hitter Sarah Sandusky.

The Panthers responded with solo home runs by Emily Bickett (her third in the last four games) and Thais Miranda. They had the tying run on first in the seventh inning, but the next two Panthers went down to end the game.

"I was happy to see a number of people step up at the plate," Moore said. "It was great to see Thais get that home run. Kennedi (Meinecke) had a big pinch-hit home run. It was a big day for Heather (Ward). She swung the bat really well. When it comes down to the postseason, you need everyone from 1 through 9 swinging the bat well."

Ward broke up Waubonsee's no-hit bid in game one with a line-drive pinch-hit single in the fifth. She was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Even Ward's outs were good ones as she lined hard to right in game two.

Meinecke was 2 for 2 with an RBI to spearhead Morton College's six-hit attack in game two.

This was the 17th time this season the Panthers have been involved in a game decided by two or fewer runs. Morton College still has a shot at reaching the 20-win mark for the first time since 1999 with six regular-season doubleheaders left between now and May 6th.

"We've played a good schedule and a number of good teams," Moore noted. "While this is something we can build off, we've got to find a way to win some of these games."

Notes from Prairie State:
Game 1 highlights – 9-4 win
Emily Bickett – 3 for 4, 2 home run, double, five RBI
Olivia Ortiz – 4 for 4, double
Natalie Martinez – 2 for 4, double, RBI
Itza Gonzales – 2 for 2, home run, two RBI
Paulina Viveros – 1 for 4, two runs scored
Heather Ward – Winning pitcher, four strikeouts and two walks

Game 2 highlights – 9-1 win
Paulina Viveros – 4 for 4, home run, four RBI
Olivia Ortiz – 3 for 3, two runs scored
Natalie Martinez – 2 for 4
Itza Gonzales – 1 for 2, two RBI
Thais Miranda – 1 for 3, RBI
Natalie Mendoza-Sanchez – 2 for 3, run scored
Kennedi Meinecke – Winning pitcher, one run and three hits allowed over four innings