Hofer and Christner star against Porters

Saturday, Andrew coach Jim Holba gave pitcher Brooke Hofer a chance to hit for herself for just the second time this season.

She passed the audition, going 2-for-4 against Plainfield East.

Monday, Hofer was back in the lineup for a Southwest Suburban crossover against visiting No. 16 Lockport, and again went 2-for- 4.

This time, she was good to the last at-bat.

Hofer’s line-drive single to the gap in right-center with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning gave No. 19 Andrew a 5-4 victory.

The Thunderbolts had trailed 4-1 in the bottom of the of the sixth before Katie Christner rallied Andrew with a three-run home run.

The Wisconsin-bound Christner finished the day 3-for-3 for the Thunderbolts (8-3), while Hofer went the distance in the circle, allowing seven hits while striking out two.

“I like to contribute other than just pitching,” Hofer said after her RBI single scored Bobbi Gotschammer, who was pinchrunning for designated player Caitlyn Migawa (hit by pitch). “I’m glad I got a chance to help the team.”

The Porters (10-3) had built a lead behind a three-run rally in the fourth. Kelly Pattison had a two-run double and Melissa Stoch (2-for-4, home run, 2 RBI) singled in a run.

“Two good teams battling to the end,” Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec said. “Good for Andrew. (Christner) got us to every field —left, center and right.