Analysis: L-Way West Shows Offensive Capability

Myranda Eckberg will never forget what happened in New Lenox on March 19, 2011.

She'll certainly tell her parents about the glorious day. Several decades from now, she'll likely retell the story to her grandkids.

Eckberg launched a home run over the left field fence, which was the biggest of many of the offensive highlights during Lincoln-Way West's 18-2 victory over Bremen on Saturday. It was her first career home run.

Not just as a member of the varsity squad, but ever.

"The was my first home run since, well, forever," she said. "I had never hit one before."

Eckberg's sister was on hand to witness the feat, but unfortunately Eckberg's parents were not in the stands.

"I rounded first base and saw it go over and was like, 'Wow, a home run and my parents aren't even here to see it,' " she said. "I thought it was too high and more of a flyball, but it went over the fence."

Eckberg's deep fly was the only ball to leave the yard on Saturday for the Warriors, but they lit up the scoreboard like a pinball machine, hammering out 14 hits while scoring 18 runs. They did all the damage while only coming up to bat in four innings.

"The bats were going right away from the first inning," Warriors coach Heather Novak said. "We focus on each at-bat and every pitch and the girls were ready to go."

Were they ever. Sam Magruder, Jess Okrzesik, Alex Stull and Alex Call all reached in order in the top of the first inning and all scored as the Warriors jumped ahead 5-0. They would do even more damage in the second inning, tallying six runs, including Eckberg's home run, to take an 11-0 lead.

"We only came outside once to hit before, but we did a lot of hitting inside," Magruder said. "So, getting out here was a nice change."

While Novak can only dream of her team lighting up the scoreboard with an 18 consistently, she's excited about what the Warriors should be able to accomplish with the bats this year.

"It's just our second year, but with everybody returning I think they know their expectations and what we're looking for this season," she said. "They worked hard in the off-season and hopefully today was a sign that we'll be strong offensively."