Kait Leaves Her Mark On Eagles Final Saturday

Elgin, IL - On this final Saturday of the regular season, The Eagles' Softball team ended with an instant classic in front of a packed house. 

It was senior day for the Eagles as they recognized seven teammates in between their games today against Trinity Christian, but before that was the full course of emotions throughout game one. 

With wind gusts up to 20 mph at times, the ball was dancing in a busy first inning for both sides. The Eagles led 2-1 after one thanks to some small ball, and misques. 

After five completed innings, the Eagles found themselves down 9-3, and that is where things picked up. JU picked up four more runs to cut the Trolls lead highlighted by an RBI single by senior Angelica Vasquez, and a 2-run rocket by Braly Wiser. Judson was trailing just 9-7 heading into the 7th inning. 

What kept the Eagles in the game was the relief efforts of senior Kennedy Dietz. She threw 5.1 innings, holding the Trolls to zero runs on just three hits. 

In the 7th, senior Naomi Sweeney cut the lead to 9-8 on an RBI triple scoring Vasquez. Coming off of the bench, with two outs, and the tying run on third base, Kait Marks stepped to the plate. After a long at-bat, Marks hit a rocket in the hole between third base and shortstop, the long throw pulled off the first basemen giving Marks the infield single, and a tie ball game at 9. 

With Dietz continuing to hold down the Trolls, the Eagles came to bat in the bottom of the 9th inning. 

In the inning, both Ashlynn Avenarius and Sweeney walked to bring Marks back up to the plate. Marks then belted a deep home run through the wind, and banging off of the scoreboard to bring home the walk off victory for the Eagles 12-9 in extra innings. 

In just two at-bats, Marks had 2 hits, and 4 RBI's. Braly Wiser also had two hits, and 2 RBI's. Dietz earned the win in relief for her shutdown efforts. 

While the Trolls did win Game 2 by a score of 7-0, it was another day where the Eagles competed hard until the very end. Down six runs, JU did not quit and pack it in. 

On the final day of the regular season, the final home contest of the year for all sports, the Eagles in front of a packed crowd also had the final senior day of the 2023-2024 year. 

Seven seniors who have contributed a ton of hard work, dedication, and commitment to the program had their moment in-between games. 

Thank you to those seniors, Naomi Sweeney, Amelia Jimenez, Jocelyn Mitchell, Amaya Chavez, Angelica Vasquez, Kennedy Dietz, and Sophie Schomer. Their efforts and contributions will be missed.