Downers North’s Ryndak commits to Purdue
Purdue’s softball pitching is getting a strong DuPage County flavor the next few years.
Downers Grove North sophomore Dale Ryndak has verbally committed to Purdue, becoming the second area standout pitcher to join the Boilermakers program. Glenbard North senior Lilly Fecho will be headed to West Lafayette, Ind., next year. Ryndak chose Purdue over a host of schools, including Boston College and Louisville. Ryndak, Daily Herald All-Area as a freshman, is 8-1 for the 20-4 Trojans with a 0.69 earned-run average with 89 strikeouts in just 61 innings. A dual threat, Ryndak is hitting .406 at the plate with 5 homers and 15 RBI.
“They have really been courting her,” Trojans coach Mark Magro said of Purdue. “I think they want her to do more than pitching, which excites her. She should be proud. She’s worked hard for this and she’s only going to get better.”
Downers Grove North 9, Hinsdale Central 0:
Elaine Heflin fired a no-hitter, striking out 17, and Sam Yeager belted her eight home run and drove in 6 runs for the No. 12 Trojans (20-4, 7-0 West Suburban Silver) in Hinsdale. Heflin walked the first batter she faced, but was perfect after that.
Benet 7, Carmel 4:
Maeve McGuire’s area-leading 11th homer, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth, broke a 4-4 tie as the No. 2 Redwings rallied in Lisle. Benet (22-3, 7-1 East Suburban Catholic Conference), which lost to Carmel 13-3 on Wednesday, trailed 4-3 before scoring 4 runs in the sixth. Emily York also homered.
Waubonsie Valley 8, Metea Valley 5:
Amanda Minahan slugged a two-run homer and Shannon Hohman (13-4) struck out four for No. 13 Waubonsie (17-6, 9-3 Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division), which got out to an 8-1 lead and held on.
Naperville Central 9, West Aurora 0:
Keegan Hayes (10-2) tossed a two-hitter, striking out six, for the No. 8 Redhawks (18-4, 7-1 DuPage Valley Conference) in Naperville. Katie Walker doubled in 2 runs, Julie Tassi had an RBI double and Laura Dierking was 3-for-3 with a double for Naperville Central.
Glenbard South 14, Fenton 2:
Danielle Chitkowski (11-1) struck out 11 in twirling a two-hitter in Glen Ellyn for the No. 9 Raiders (20-3, 9-0 Metro Suburban Conference). Jane Trzaska went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and Hannah Davey doubled and stole 2 bases.