Softball/Fox Valley roundup
The Jacobs softball team threw the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division race into a three-team sprint to the finish Tuesday.
The Golden Eagles (15-11, 4-4) scored 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning off Prairie Ridge standout Kirsten Stevens to beat the Wolves 4-3. The loss dropped PR into a three-way tie in the loss column in the Valley along with Cary-Grove and McHenry.
Alyssa Lach (4-for-4) ended a great pitchers duel with a 2-run double while Katie Kirker (3-for-4) and Nikki Chapa both had run-scoring singles for Jacobs, the No. 2 seed behind Cary-Grove in the upcoming Class 4A Huntley regional.
Although the Wolves managed 3 runs across in the bottom half of the seventh, McKayla Lein (7 IP, 0 ER, 8 K, 6 H, 4 BB) struck out the side for the win.
South Elgin 4, Lake Park 3: A 3-run seventh lifted the Storm (11-17, 8-7) to a come-from-behind Upstate Eight Valley win. Kara Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a double and both Paige Allen (RBI) and Sam Bolin (2 RBI) had 2 hits. Bolin (9-10) also earned the win in the circle and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. The outcome defied the IHSA postseason seeds that were released Tuesday. Lake Park is the No. 4 seed in its own sectional complex; South Elgin drew the No. 11 seed in the Barrington sectional.
Burlington Central 5, Genoa-Kingston 0: The Rockets (21-7, 7-2) cruised to a Big Northern East victory behind Angie Morrow’s day at the plate and in the circle. Morrow went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI and effectively struck out 12 on just 2 hits and 2 walks. Bekah Harnish also doubled for Central, who will host a Class 3A regional as the No. 1 seed. BC has now won 12 straight and 15 of its last 16 games.
Cary-Grove 12, Huntley 1: The Trojans’ bats were scorching hot in this FVC Valley win, as Sarah Leudo (3-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBI), Lisa Semro (3-for-4, double, 4 RBI) and Taylor Dunne (1-for-3, 2 RBI) all homered. Cary-Grove (23-6, 8-2) also benefited from Prairie Ridge’s loss, which placed the Trojans, Wolves (7-2) and McHenry (8-2) in a three-way tie for the Valley lead. Sara Markelonis was also 2-for-3 with a double and Caitlyn Adams was 1-for-3 (RBI) with a double. Angela Tribuzio was 1-for-2 for the Red Raiders (5-18, 1-9).
Crystal Lake South 4, Dundee-Crown 0: Hallie Massie allowed 3 hits, a walk and struck out 8 Chargers to improve her record to 9-7 in South’s FVC Valley win. Liz Adams was 1-for-3 with a double and both Kim McElman (RBI) and Samantha Golf went 2-for-4 for the Gators (18-8), the No. 3 seed in the Huntley regional. Dundee-Crown (7-17, 1-9) saw Melany Love notch 2 singles in the loss.
Aurora Central Catholic 4, St. Edward 3: The Green Wave (7-16, 5-9) needed 2 runs to force extras but managed only 1 run in the seventh as their comeback fell short in Suburban Christian play. Kali Kossakowski (3-for-4, RBI) managed to nail 3 doubles and both Kristi Kroll and Ryann Scully had a double and an RBI in the loss.
Hampshire 6, Woodstock 0: The Whip-Purs (11-18, 4-5) managed a FVC Fox win over the Blue Streaks behind a solid outing from pitcher Jen Hurst, who allowed just 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. Jordan Hook went 1-for-4 with an RBI and Becca Vodraska and Sara Finn each had 2 hits. Hampshire is the No. 4 seed in the Burlington Central 3A regional.
Streamwood 5, Larkin 3: Kellee Conquest’s RBI single in the bottom of the sixth proved to be the winning run in the Sabres’ (8-18, 3-12) comeback win in UEC River play. Conquest (4-9) also earned the win in the circle as she pitched 6 innings, while giving up 2 earned, 5 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Alex Buhrow homered and doubled and Beth Berry had 2 RBI and a double for Larkin (3-24, 1-12 in the loss.
John Radtke and Steve Nichols contributed to this report