Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson has talked about how the Trojans’ seniors have to lead her young squad.

Apparently, they are listening.

The Trojans got an inspired performance from senior pitcher Alexis Paz Wednesday night as Chesterton won its 10th straight game in picking up a 3-1 Duneland Athletic Conference victory over Portage.

“Our original plan was to throw Alexis the first time through their order,” Hopson said. “Then more than likely we’d have to bring Taylor (Harlow) in for the next time through. And then get Catie (Armstrong) warmed up.

“We thought it might take all three to keep Portage off balance. They are that good a hitting squad.”

Paz wasn’t about to let that happen. The right-hander allowed just one hit and struck out nine in picking up the win.

“The first time through the order, Portage got the one hit and a couple hitters were very hard outs,” Hopson said. “I was more than my share of nervous. Alexis, (catcher) Sam (Bozak) and I went through the pitching notes and talked about moving the ball around more.

“Alexis felt good and was confident. So we stayed with her.”

The Trojans (14-5, 9-2) had staked Paz to a 1-0 lead when Sam Gross reached on a one-out single and then stole second. Amanda Gough’s single moved her to third and Gross scored on a single by Bozak.

The game stayed that way until the fourth inning when Taylor Harlow reached on an error. Kelci Garcia then lined the first pitch from Portage starter Olivia Leggett over the left field wall for a two-run home run.

“Those two runs in the fourth helped calm everyone down, especially me,” Hopson said.

Portage’s rally came in the sixth inning as Paz walked the bases loaded and allowed the Indians’ run to score on a wild pitch with two outs.

“The sixth got kind of scary,” Hopson said. “After the third walk and the wild pitch, I went out and talked to her. We talked about fatigue. She said she would come out if I wanted her to, but she didn’t want to.

“All of the faces I looked into out there had that same determined look. So we stayed with her.”

Paz struck out Kristen Ashby to end the game.

“I feel great for her,” Hopson said of Paz. “Every pitcher wants to lead their team to a victory by punching out the last kid with the game on the line. It takes a lot of guts and determination.”

The Trojans were also solid defensively behind Paz.

“Amanda (Gough), Kathleen (Maple), Kelci (Garcia), Catie (Armstrong) and Sam (Bozak) all had great defensive games,” Hopson said. “Last time we played them it was our outfield that made all the plays. This time our infield came up big.”

The Trojans return to the field on Friday when they host DAC-leader Lake Central. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Chesterton 3, Portage 1

AT PORTAGE

SCORING BY INNINGS

Chesterton 100 200 0 – 3 6 1

Portage 000 001 0 – 1 1 4

2B – Kristen Helmick (P). HR – Kelci Garcia (C). Pitching Summary – Chesterton – Alexis Paz (7 IP, 1 H, 9 K, 6 BB); Portage -- Olivia Leggett (7 IP, 6 H, 8 K, 1 BB). WP – Paz (4-0). LP -- Leggett (9-4).

Posted 5/1/2008