THREE-HIT CLOVER
Last of Voulgaris sisters enjoys first big game for Lockport against H-F
The Voulgaris sisters are among the royal families of Lockport softball.
First, there was Gabby. Followed by Zara. And then along came Gracie.
Last, but certainly not least, there is Clover. The sophomore first baseman is looking to add to the legacy.
“I mean, it’s pressure, but I grew up with it my whole life,” Clover Voulgaris said. “They’ve always directed me on my path, I guess.”
She had her first huge varsity moment Wednesday in Lockport’s 6-3 SouthWest Suburban Blue victory over host Homewood-Flossmoor.
Addison Foster had three hits for the Porters (18-4, 4-1). Kasey Markusic and Stephanie Hayes each added two hits. Alaina Peetz had five strikeouts to earn the win in relief.
Kamiya Brown singled and brought in all three runs for H-F (9-8, 2-5).
Voulgaris had one chance to swing the bat. When she did, in the top of the sixth, she turned the game on its ear.
Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec sent her to the plate with the bases loaded and the Porters trailing 3-2.
Voulgaris took the first pitch for a ball. She smoked the second pitch to the gap in left-center for a three-run double.
“I was just trying to get it in the green, even a sac fly, just to score,” Voulgaris said. “I wasn’t expecting that ... but it was good.”
Markusic, the sure and steady senior, was among the cheerleaders from the bench.
“That takes grit, to come into a situation and be able to do that,” Markusic said. “Clover had us all lined up on the fence, ready to jump out of the dugout.
“I knew she could do it. She’s a great kid with so much potential. She’s showing so much of it. It’ll be exciting to come back and watch her for the next couple of years.”
The older Voulgaris sisters were all stand
outs at Lockport. Gabby played at Iowa State, Zara at Kansas. Gracie just finished her senior season at Butler.
Clover has been used as a designated hitter and has seen some time at first base. She also plays third base and catches on her summer team.
As a pinch hitter? She was a no-doubter in Chovanec’s mind against H-F.
“Clover swings a good bat in batting practice all the time,” Chovanec said. “Any opportunity we can give her a chance to come in and get a hit, we’ll do it. She works hard.”
The other clutch performance of the game came from Peetz. The freshman right-hander was summoned in the bottom of the fourth. H-F had just taken a 3-2 lead and had two runners on base with two outs.
Peetz hit the first batter
to load the bases but struck out the next. She went on to strike out five in a row and blanked the Vikings the rest of the way.
“It’s a little different than starting a game, but I enjoy it,” Peetz said. “The first batter, I was kind of shaky, but I got it going after that.”
Peetz also made a big play on a sharp grounder up the middle to end the sixth inning.
“She’s doing a good job for us,” Chovanec said. “You wouldn’t think she is
a freshman.”
Starter Kelcie McGraw, also a freshman, struck out four. She pitched well but came undone due to four infield errors.
“Kelcie didn’t do a bad job today,” Chovanec said. “We just didn’t help her defensively. She’s had great games. She threw both games against Lincoln-Way Central.
“They are both very talented pitchers, and we’re very fortunate to have both of them as freshmen.”