Palos Heights, IL (3/15/11)- The Varsity Rams traveled to Chicago Christian for their season opener on Tuesday and earned the victory over the Knights, 3-0. The Rams (1-0) were led by their All-State pitcher Caitlyn Balandis in the circle, and by Sarah Saunders and Sam Mangiapane on offense.
Balandis started the year appearing to be in mid-season form, earning the complete game shutout while strking out 14 and holding the Knights to 3 hits. The Rams defense was solid all game, especially in the fifth and sixth when the Knights threatened to score, Sam Saunders made a couple of dazzling defensive plays to keep the Knights scoreless.
The Rams offense was not overwhelming, but it was timely. Sarah Saunders led the 2nd inning off with a single and advanced to second on the walk drawn by Meghan Higgins. Kayla Mangiapane executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to get the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Sam Magiapane's ground out plated Saunders for the only run of the inning. In a case of deja vu, Saunders led off the 4th with a single, Higgins walked, and Kayla Mangiapane again laid down the sac bunt. This time, however, Sam Mangiapane belted a 2-run double to right field scoring Saunders and Ali McCafferty (running for Higgins), finishing the scoring.