Trinity tops Barrington in power struggle
Ten months ago, Trinity softball coach Bob Osborne directed the Blazers to second place in the Class 3A state finals.
This spring, Osborne and the Blazers find themselves as a Class 4A squad.
And Barrington found out Tuesday that Trinity belongs with the big schools.
In somewhat of a mini home run derby, the Blazers (10-0) outlasted the host Fillies 10-5 at the Fields of Dreams.
Seven of the Blazers’ runs were the result of 3 home runs while the Fillies had two go over the fence, both by sophomore pitcher-third baseman Loren Krzysko.
“They (Trinity) are the most impressive team we have seen all season,” said Fillies coach Perry Peterson, whose team (6-3) defeated the Blazers and their sophomore southpaw Chase Machain, 6-5, last year in the Washington tournament.
“They really do a nice job,” Peterson added. “They are well-coached, athletic and they play with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. If all the teams did that, this sport would be a lot better. Kudos to their program. They do a real nice job.”
Krzysko (2-for-4) and senior Liz Owen (3-for-4) did nice job at the plate for Barrington.
Krzysko clubbed homers in the fifth and sixth innings, to right and center field, for 3 RBI.
Owen scooted home on a wild pitch in the second inning, and an error on Ally McLaughlin’s grounder brought home Owen for the Fillies’ other run in the fourth inning.
But the Blazers had a little more firepower.
Sophomore No. 9 hitter Gabrielle Smart (3-run blast) and sophomore Abby Ramirez went back-to-back with home runs in the second inning to give Trinity a 4-0 lead.
After consecutive two-out singles by pitcher Machain (6-0) and Erin Baldwin, catcher Monica Garcia blasted a 3-run homer over the left-field fence in the sixth inning to give the Blazers the 10-5 advantage.
“We stayed in the game with them, and they are good competition for us,” said Fillies senior second baseman Colleen Shandley, who singled to right in the third inning. “We can’t just throw in the towel. We are still building and need to make a lot of improvement. It’s all about battling.”
Jordan Wekony also had 2 hits for Barrington.
“I thought this would be an offensive game,” said Osborne, whose hitters faced three Barrington pitchers (starter Krzysko, Emma Woods and Kiley Dolezal). “Both of our offenses are great.
“I really think our bats are as good as anyone in the state. When they moved the pitcher’s mound back to 43 feet (last year from 40 feet), it meant that everyone in our lineup can hit a home run.”
The Blazers have 11 this spring, led by Ramirez (5).
“This is a big win for us,” Osborne added. “It’s all about gaining confidence and now we know we can compete in Class 4A.”
Elk Grove 11, Loyola 1 (6 inn.): Senior second baseman Jessica Balzano (2-for-2, 3 RBI) belted a 3-run homer over the center-field fence in the sixth inning and ran her hitting streak to 41 straight games as host Elk Grove improved to 6-1.
Dani Goranson (6-1) made it 32 straight innings without giving up an earned until Ramblers first baseman Jackie Ward homered to lead off the fifth inning.
Goranson struck out the first nine batters and finished with 12 for the game and no walks in a 4-hitter.
Other multiple-hitting Grens were Devan Parkison (4-for-4, 3 runs, RBI), Goranson (2-for-3) and Andrea Starr (2-for-2).
Megan Keegan and Kristen Cetkovic each had 2-run singles for Elk Grove.
Maine West 3, Maine South 0: Maine West sophomore Ariel Valles (2-3) fired the first no-hitter of her career with 5 strikeouts and no walks. She faced 22 batters in a game that took only 70 minutes.
The host Warriors (3-4) scored all their runs in the first inning when sophomore Renee Pond (3-for-3, double), senior Nicole Mavraganis and junior Caroline Baird each delivered RBI singles.
“Ariel was on,” said Warriors coach Mike Murin. “She threw well against Rolling Meadows on Monday (5-2 win) and came back just as good (Tuesday).”
Buffalo Grove 8, St. Viator 3: Host Buffalo Grove (4-3) was led on offense by senior Andrea DiPrima (3-for-3, 2 doubles, walk) and sophomore Erin Barton (2-for-4, double).
Senior KC Dunne and sophomore Amanda Salzman also added doubles for the Bison, who received a 7-hitter from senior ace Maria Dax (4-1).
Tayler Lenart’s 2-run double drove home Sam Hogan and Colleen Dunne (2 hits) for St. Viator.
The Lions (1-6) also received an RBI single from senior Kristen Cozzi.
Leyden 22, St. Joseph 0 (5 innings): Host Leyden (6-0) was led on offense by Dana Sullivan (2-for-4, double), Bri Michels (3-for-3, double), Christina Morgan (2-for-4, double) and Kelly Nessling (2-for-3).
Winning pitcher Morgan Maize (5-0) went 3 innings, striking out six and giving up 1 hit. Hannah Seymore went the final two innings, striking out two.