By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur
COVINGTON – St. Charles rebounded from a season-opening loss in a big way Tuesday, riding a final inning rally to topple two-time defending Class 1A state champion Hannan on the road, 3-2.
“We needed this for our confidence. We lost our opener for the first time in a very long time,” said St. Charles coach Ty Monica. “Especially after that, we needed to regroup.
“We ended up playing a very good Hannan team after that and we got behind early but fought back. It was what we call in the coaching profession as a character-builder.”
Hannan dropped to 1-1 with the loss.
Chelsea Loupe drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning, helping her own cause as the day’s starting pitcher.
The Comets trailed 2-1 entering the final frame. Megan Ruiz reached on an error with one out to get SCC started. Karli Terrio singled and with runners on first and second, the Comets attempted a double steal; the contesting throw from the catcher sailed into left field and the game was tied.
With two outs, Loupe singled home the game winner. She finished 2 for 4 at the plate.
Loupe also had a strong day on the mound, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. She walked no batters.
“She threw it really well. Chelsea battled all day. That’s just who she is and what we’ve come to know and love about her. She struck out eight against Covington and followed up with nine, so she’s off to a really good start. We’ve just got to start scoring a few more runs for her.”
The Comets (2-1) followed up with a second straight win this week, a 15-1 victory over Pope John Paul II.
Jessica Mire went 3 for 3 with six RBIs for SCC. Destiny Wesley went 2 for 3 with three runs scored.
Monica said that he expects this Comets team to get stronger as the season rolls along. SCC returns five starters from last season’s Class 3A quarterfinalist, but Monica noted that two of those players are getting acclimated to new positions.
“We’ve still got a lot of learning to do game by game,” he said. “It’s a matter of getting some game time under us. The weather hasn’t been helping matters, so hopefully we’ll get a good stretch upcoming and get some games played.”
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