Sophomore first baseman Eileen Donahue has earned a ton of respect from her Marist teammates because of her hitting and fielding ability.

According to pitcher Abby Dunning, they like her even more as a person.

“Eileen is a great softball player,” Dunning said. “And not only that, she is one of the kindest people I have ever met.

“Honestly, she is one of the best teammates in the world. We all love her so much.”

Marist coach Colleen Phelan kind of likes her, too.

“Oh my gosh, Eileen is the best,” Phelan said, smiling. “I’ve known her since she was probably 10 years old. It’s been really fun to see her grow into the player she is today.

“She’s a ton of fun to coach. She’s so sweet. She’s the sweetest girl on the entire field ... or maybe in the entire IHSA.”

Donahue put some hurt on Lockport, however, during Tuesday’s 13-0 win in five innings.

In the second inning, she drove an RBI triple down the right field line.

In the third inning, she hit a towering three-run homer to left field.

In the fifth inning, she hit a sacrifice fly to center.

Power to all three fields. That will earn you plenty of respect.

“I’m feeling great,” Donahue said. “I’ve been waiting so long to play for Marist. I’ve been going to camps for I don’t know how many years. It’s very exciting.”

Donahue went into Tuesday’s game hitting .535. The triple against Lockport was her second of the season, the home run her fifth. She’s one of eight RedHawks hitting better than .400.

“Oh, it’s so awesome,” Donahue said. “Every single girl on this team is amazing. Just being in this lineup is an honor. Doing anything to get my team runs, or helping us win, is my main goal.”

Emily Bojan added a triple and three RBIs for Marist (21-0). Easton Lotus went 2-for-4. Sierra Sass reached base all three times, stealing two bases and scoring three runs.

The offensive outburst was matched by the pitching effort of Dunning (13-0). The senior right-hander went four innings, striking out nine.

The only hit she allowed was a double with two outs in the third inning by Lockport’s Macy Schaaf. Marist second baseman Maggie O’Brien made a spectacular dive to try to make the play on the sharp grounder.

Instead, the ball took a bad hop, hit her above her left eye and caromed into left field. O’Brien suffered a deep gash. She walked off the field under her own power, but was taken to the hospital for treatment.

“She definitely gave it her all,” Dunning said. “It just took a bad hop right at the end. I feel so bad for her. I hope she’s doing OK.

“She was crying and giggling at the same time. She’s super tough. I know she’ll come back.”

Dunning also allowed one walk. Otherwise, she was unhittable. So was reliever Brooke McNichols, who struck out two in a perfect fifth.

With a lineup like Marist’s, pitching is fun.

“Everyone on this team is literally best friends,” Dunning said. “I’ve never been on a team like this. We all play together.

“It’s never like, ‘Me, me, me.’ Everybody is as one, and it’s been great so far.”

It was a tough day at the plate for Lockport (7-8), which scored 24 runs in the two previous games against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Porters coach Marissa Chovanec has just two seniors on her roster.

“We’re young, we’re eager and we’re learning,” Chovanec said. “There is a lot to still learn, but I was happy with some of the plays we made. We’re getting better every day.”