Nonnemacher, NCHS softball shut out Minooka, advance to sectional

Saturday, May 24, 2008

By Pantagraph staff

Megan Nonnemacher struck out 12 and walked none while pitching a two-hit shutout Saturday to spark the Normal Community High School softball team to a 1-0 victory over Minooka in the title game of the Ottawa Class 4A Regional.  “Megan did a nice job. She had command of her pitches and was changing speeds on them. She had them bewildered for awhile,” NCHS coach Bob Grimes said. “Kaity Crane called a wonderful game for Megan.”

The Ironmen improved to 28-3 and will meet Belleville West in their own sectional on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

NCHS scored in the first inning. Katie Lutes led off with a triple and scored on a one-out grounder by Jessie Smith.  “We did an excellent job of executing the game plan,” said Grimes. 

Minooka’s biggest threat came in the second inning. The Indians (16-14-1) put a runner at third with one out, but Nonnemacher struck out two straight batters.