Perfect game for Prairie Ridge’s Stevens vs. Huntley
Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout.
Out, out, out
You get the picture.
The Huntley hitters never had a chance against Prairie Ridge senior standout Kirsten Stevens.
Retiring all 21 hitters she faced, Stevens twirled a masterful perfect game while striking out 13 Red Raiders as the Wolves eked out a 1-0 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win in Huntley Monday afternoon.
The game was played in a snappy 1 hour and 7 minutes.
“I used mostly my riseball and curveball because it was too windy to throw my changeup on a consistent basis,” said Stevens. “Both those pitches were really working. I was aware of the perfect game. I was hoping my teammates wouldn’t jinx me. My defense behind me was really good. We played with great energy and enthusiasm.”
Stevens, who had 7 consecutive strikeouts between the second and fourth innings, tossed her second career perfect game. She threw a perfect game against Woodstock North during her freshman season.
PR coach Mike Buck was impressed with the way Stevens adjusted to the windy conditions.
“Kirsten threw mostly rise and curveballs and was totally in control of those pitches,” said Buck. “She is averaging 11½ strikeouts a game so she can be a dominant strikeout pitcher. She was awesome today. She kept the Huntley hitters totally off balance.”
The Wolves (14-2, 5-1) finally were able to score on Huntley sophomore pitcher Haley Spannraft, who matched Stevens pitch-for-pitch for 6 innings.
In the pivotal top of the seventh inning, Maddie Drain lined a single to left field with one out. Emma Ritsema, running for Drain, moved to second on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Emily Doomis. On the sacrifice bunt, Ritsema was able to score the game’s lone run on a Huntley error.
Spannraft, the hard-luck loser for the Red Raiders (13-6, 1-4), allowed just 5 singles. She struck out 3 PR hitters while allowing 1 walk.
“What a great pitching matchup,” said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. “Stevens pitched lights out for PR and Haley was also phenomenal. They put the ball in play against Haley but we played great defense. We made some great plays. They got the one run and with Stevens pitching that was enough.”