Chovanec tale: Mom's Porters outlast Noelle, Angels

LOCKPORT – Lockport hosted Joliet Catholic Academy in a softball game Saturday that had one main story line before the game began. But in the end, it was much more as the Porters won in dramatic fashion, 9-8, in 11 innings.

In the early morning began, Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec gave her daughter, Noelle, a hug and wished her luck as they left the house. Noelle, a junior, would be the starting pitcher for the Angels as she faced her mother’s team for the first time.

“We talked about this day as a family when this game was scheduled,” Marissa Chovanec said. “I don’t get to see her play much, and she has grown up being coached by me and knows my intensity for the game. Not many moms get to coach against their daughter; they are usually coaching them. She’s is a competitor, and I’m sure she will do fine.”

JCA (9-2) scored twice in the top of the first, then it was time, as Noelle Chovanec toed the rubber and retired the Porters in order.

After the Angels scored three more in the second to lead, 5-0, Lockport (12-3) got four consecutive singles to make it 5-2 heading to the third. The Porters pushed across another run in the third to make it 5-3, and Noelle Chovanec had completed her day in the circle.

“I was so nervous that first batter,” Noelle Chovanec said. “But then it was pitching as usual and that was the most fun I have ever had at a softball game, except for the outcome. My mom has always coached me and been there for me. This was special, and I hope we get to do it again.”

Then, more fun.

The Angels had opportunities to blow the game open as they stranded five runners from the third through fifth innings before Erin Garman got an RBI single in the sixth for a 6-3 lead.

Lockport couldn’t get anything going against Britney Lewinski as she allowed two hits over the next 31/3 innings after relieving Chovanec.

But in the bottom of the seventh, the Porters’ Taylor Shingler single, Taylor Herschbach was hit by a pitch and Tara McElligott tied the game, 6-all, with a home run over the center-field fence.

Both teams scored a run in the eighth. JCA received an RBI single from Caitlyn Spreitzer after a walk to Tessa Green. Gianna Bauer reached on an error for Lockport and scored on a groundout by Nikki Visvardis.

Neither team scored in the next two innings. In the 11th, the Angels’ Maddy Szymanski singled and scored on a single by Annie Nudera to make it 8-7.

Still, the bottom of the 11th remained.

McElligott hit the first pitch over the left-center field fence to tie the game yet again. Gracie Voulgaris reached on an error, stole second and Laurne Johnson delivered the walkoff single. Erin Kleffman pitched the final seven innings for the win.

“I have never experienced anything like that,” McElligott said. “Each time up I was just looking to hit the ball hard, but on the second home run their pitcher was getting ahead in the count, so I was just looking fastball and got it.”

“I was just looking to get Gracie to third,” Johnson said. “The level of intensity was at a much different level today and we now know we are never out of a game, no matter what the score or when it is in a game.”

JCA coach Tina Kinsella was positive after the game.

“No one expected us to have a chance today,” Kinsella said. “Lockport is one of the best programs in the state every year, and we had them on the ropes all game long. Our bottom of the order really played well and put us in situations to succeed. We lost our catcher, Jen Krizka, who is also a big bat in our lineup. She got hit with a foul tip in the helmet, and we just took precautions with her. I’m certainly proud of our team and the effort they gave on the field. That was as intense of a game as you will ever see.”

“We have a big nucleus back from previous years and their even-keel approach and resiliency showed,” Marissa Chovanec said. “Today was a special game and had special moments all around. I’m certainly proud of my team and of how Noelle pitched. She kept the ball down and kept our hitters off balance.”