Hengler, Jacobs make easy work of Huntley

Jacobs softball coach Jeremy Bauer likes Jacqueline Hengler as his leadoff hitter because of her speed and ability to get on base.

The Golden Eagles’ senior added the dimension of power to her offensive repertoire on Tuesday afternoon.

Blasting a 3-run home run well over the left-field fence in the fifth inning, Hengler was one of the keys in Jacobs’ 10-2 victory over Huntley in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action in Algonquin.

“I really feel comfortable batting leadoff,” said Hengler. “My job is to get on base, but I got a good low inside pitch to hit and hit it well. I didn’t think it was over the fence. It was a good feeling.”

Bauer realizes Hengler isn’t your typical leadoff hitter.

“She isn’t one who slaps and bunts,” said Bauer. “She is a really good hitter with some power. She does use her speed to get on base and she is very patient.”

The Golden Eagles, who dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 conference decision to Cary-Grove on Monday, bounced back and rocked Huntley sophomore pitcher Haley Spannraft early and often with 7 runs in the first three innings.

Jacobs (6-5, 1-1), which pounded out 14 hits, scored 3 in the first on RBI singles by Courtney Cotugno, Nicky Chapa and Payton Spirling. The Golden Eagles added 3 in the second keyed by a 2- run double by freshman Sarah Murray and scored a run in the third on an RBI double by Kelsey Cummings.

Huntley finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth with 2 runs on a solo homer by Randi Peterson and a sacrifice fly by Angela Tribuzio.

The Golden Eagles scored the final 3 runs of the game on Hengler’s homer in the fifth.

Murray led Jacobs’ offensive onslaught with 3 hits, 2 doubles, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Cotugno, Cummings and freshman Emily Borg collected 2 hits apiece.

Junior Kelsey Peters was solid in the pitchers circle for the Eagles, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings of work. She struck out 2 and hit a batter.

Huntley (8-2, 1-1) was led by Peterson, Mackenzie Brown and freshman Megan Baczewski with 2 hits each.

“They located the pitches and really drove the ball,” said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec of Jacobs. “We had an off day. We just need to regroup.”