The numbers don’t lie.
Finley Anderson slots in at second as part of the one-two punch at the top of Oswego East’s order, but it’s more accurate to designate Anderson and leadoff hitter Ronnie Craft as a combo act.
Peas in a pod?
Pretty much.
The 1-1A tags are interchangeable for the senior duo — with Anderson patrolling center field and Craft playing second base — and they were at it again Wednesday at home against Yorkville.
“I love being in that position, to know that I have a chance to potentially win the game or really help my team out,” Anderson said afterward. “That’s the best feeling for me.”
Craft and Anderson ignited the game-winning rally, opening the bottom of the seventh inning of a 7-7 tie in Southwest Prairie Conference action with back-to-back singles.
After they moved up on a groundout, junior outfielder Lundin Cornelius came up with her fourth hit, slapping a grounder to first. Craft beat the throw for an 8-7 win on the game’s fourth lead change.
Cornelius, who missed large parts of her first two seasons with a broken finger and a concussion, continues to blossom for the Wolves (9-8, 2-2).
Oswego East’s Finley Anderson (15) reacts and takes her base after getting hit by a pitch against Yorkville during a Southwest Prairie Conference game in Oswego on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
“We’ve had her all over the lineup but she’s settled in a little bit,” Oswego Each coach Sarah Davies-Dymanus said. “She’s a little skinny, but when she makes a connection, look out.
“She hit a grand slam to win the regional final for us last year against Metea Valley.”
Cornelius wasn’t thinking long ball.
“I just wanted to put my bat on the ball,” she said. “I didn’t need like a huge hit with Ronnie on third. She’s very fast.”
It was the first time in three years that Oswego East has beaten the Foxes (8-8, 1-3), who were paced by sophomore outfielder Ellie Fox with a solo home run among three hits.
The Wolves had struggled after a 3-1 trip to Tennessee capped a 5-2 start, going 3-6 in the next nine games heading into Wednesday’s outing.
“We didn’t play for a week-and-a-half, and after practicing inside, we didn’t come together, weren’t working together,” Davies-Dymanus said. “We were out of sync, really tight going into conference.
“It’s nice to know we can compete. Yorkville is still a good team, Jory (Regnier) is still a great coach and they have a lot of good pieces. It’s a good conference win.”
Yorkville’s Ellie Fox (13) crosses home plate after hitting a home run against Oswego East during a Southwest Prairie Conference game in Oswego on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Having Anderson help Craft lead the way is nothing new.
“We had to reign it in after the bad stretch,” Anderson said. “We had team talks and we had to get a point across that we’re still in this, still in the conference race. We have goals we want to reach.
“To do that, we really need to work together. I think we have figured it out. Struggles happen.”
Both are NCAA Division II recruits, with Craft (Hillsdale) and Anderson (Minnesota State Mankato) leading the Wolves last season with 54 and 52 hits, respectively.
“We grew up playing together and work well together,” Anderson said of Craft. “We push each other to do better.”
Anderson is leading the team this spring with a .581 batting average and a .667 on-base percentage that’s boosted by 11 walks. She has a team-high 27 hits to Craft’s 25.
Oswego East’s Finley Anderson (15) follows through on a swing against Yorkville during a Southwest Prairie Conference game in Oswego on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
At the end there?
“I wasn’t worried in the seventh,” Craft said. “I knew even if I were to make an out, Finley would have my back.”
Three innings earlier, Anderson made Oswego East’s defensive play of the game, catching a line drive and doubling up a runner on first base. And she has a fan in her coach.
“She’s just a true, passionate leader with a goal to make this team better,” Davies-Dymanus said. “She’s the first one talking, directing things. She’s the loudest on the field and boosts everybody.
“She has that true mentality to want to do good for the whole — so locked in and focused.”
