Huntley, South Elgin split crazy DH

The wind didn't actually blow out that much at the Huntley softball field, but it sure seemed like it did. A few defensive lapses didn't help, either, as South Elgin and Huntley split a wild nonconference doubleheader Saturday.

South Elgin won the first game, 8-4, behind Paige Allen, but the Red Raiders rebounded to salvage the split with a 14-12 win in the nightcap.

Huntley led the second game 11-4, but the Storm tied it with 5 runs in the fourth and 3 in the fifth. Megan Larson's 2-run double provided the winning margin for Huntley in the bottom of the fifth.

Larson also homered and singled in the game, driving in 3 runs.

Hayley O'Mara had 3 hits and turned an unassisted double play that killed a South Elgin rally in the sixth. Shannon Walsh had 3 hits and scored 3 times, and Jessica Shields drove in 3 runs for the Red Raiders (6-6).

South Elgin's offense was just as potent. Cassidy Westlund homered and drove in 4 runs and Sam Helton had 4 hits for the Storm (7-6).

The teams combined for 7 errors in Game 2 and missed some other plays that could have been made.

"We gave up too many runs," said South Elgin coach Stephanie Katzenberger. "Too many unforced errors, but I'm still proud of them. We played two decent games, they really came out hitting."

Haley Spannraft, who went the distance in Game 1, came on in relief to get the win in Game 2.

In the opener, South Elgin scored 6 times in the fourth inning to take the lead for good. Helton, Brittany Koss, and Taylor Rees drove in runs before Mallory Mecklenburg's 2-run single broke things open. A dropped fly ball, one of 5 Huntley errors in the game, helped get the big rally started.

Allen pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 runs and 8 hits.

Huntley's Brittany Koss had 4 hits and drove in 2 runs in the game. She added another hit and 2 more RBI in the nightcap.

"When you're playing a quality opponent like South Elgin, you wish for 2, but you're happy with a split against them," said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. "They're a big hitting team. Defensively, in both games, that's been the story of our season. We've got to fix our defense."