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Hard work helps out Hoffman Estates

There's no secret as far as the Hoffman Estates softball players are concerned as to why the Hawks own a winning record after nine games this spring.

"We've been working really hard," said senior catcher Kaileen Hendle. "Our coaches (Lindsey Hamma and Kevin Mallon) keep telling us to work hard and we're going to be better than past years. It all starts with effort."

The Hawks showed that effort in their Mid-Suburban League home opener on Thursday as sophomore Tracy Osimowicz threw a 4-hitter and improved to 3-1 with a 4-2 victory over visiting Wheeling.

"It's a great start for Tracy and she has been pitching through some soreness," said Hawks head coach Lindsey Hamma. "She's a gamer. She wants the ball in her hands and that's a great thing to have in your pitcher."

Osimowicz also had some solid hitting from the top of the Hawks' batting order supporting her.

Leadoff batter Sam Acosta, No. 3 hitter Jordyn Fera and cleanup batter Hendle went a combined 5-for-9 with 2 RBI.

"Coach has been working with me on hitting all kinds of pitches," said Hendle, who drove in the Hawks' final run in their 3-run third inning by hitting an inside pitch down the left field line for a single.

Hendle was also catching the pitches from Osimowicz.

"She is always pretty much on target," said Hendle, who threw a runner out trying to steal second base in the fourth inning. "It's always fun catching her."

The Hawks are having fun with their 5-4 start (1-1 in the MSL).

"We have been hitting the ball better and we are staying positive," said Acosta, the senior shortstop who singled to center in the third inning and later scored on Fera's double to left center.

Kajal Dalal started the third-inning rally with walk and was sacrificed to second by Brynn Connelly. Dalal stopped at third on Acosta's single but came home moments later on a double steal.

"Going into that inning we said, 'Let's execute the fundamental softball skills and get on the board," Hamma said. "I couldn't have asked for anything more. Instead of executing well for 1 run, we got 3, and that made the difference in the game."

Wheeling pitcher Katie Quagliano made a big difference for her team. She doubled twice to go 2-for-3.

Her second double to left center drove in Alexa Fishman and Alexa Orlando to get the Wildcats to within 3-2 in the top of the sixth.

Quagliano got to third on an error on the play but Osimowicz was able to avoid any further damage by getting the final out on a popup to second baseman Caitlyn Farina.

Quagliano struck out three, walked only one and threw a 7-hitter.

"I was really proud of my defense," Quagliano said. "They played well and it all kind of came together. I'm proud of how they played. It was a fun game."

In addition to Quagliano's 2 doubles, the Wildcats (0-5, 0-2) also received base hits from Orlando, Nikki Mikosz and Fishman.

"Our last three games were a little rough but we bounced back and played a lot harder this game," said Wheeling coach Mike Caringella. "Once we tighten up on defense we'll start winning games. We made 2 errors in two different innings and they scored both times. But we are getting closer."

The Hawks got an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Hendle singled with one out and later scored on Alexus Venegas' two-out single to right for the 4-2 lead.

Osimowicz then wrapped up the win by retiring the Wildcats in order in the top of the seventh, getting a strikeout and two pop-ups to first baseman Venegas.

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