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Batavia rallies to split doubleheader vs. Huntley

Having suffered a 16-0, 5-inning loss to Huntley in the opener, Batavia's softball team found itself on the brink of dropping both games of Saturday's nonconference doubleheader.

Trailing 13-10, the Bulldogs (2-2) rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh, capped by Jena Bendoraitis' walk-off 2-run single, to win 14-13.

"I was just trying to get a nice base hit and get the runs in," said Bendoraitis, who went 4-for-5 with 3 doubles and 5 RBI in the nightcap. "I wasn't looking for anything big - just whatever I could do to get them in."

Batavia's late-inning comeback began with a 1-out triple by Ryanne Rokos, who scored on Elyse Burns' RBI single to make it 13-11.

Back-to-back walks to Christina Karius and Natalie Offutt loaded the bases for Alyssa Klemm, who was hit by a pitch, forcing in Rokos and setting the stage for Bendoraitis as the Bulldogs pulled within 13-12.

"It's nice to see we were able to bounce back there," said Batavia coach Lupe Castellanos. "Jena had a big day for us at the plate.

"One thing I can always say about our team is that we never give up. We're always fighting."

After spotting the Red Raiders (2-2) a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, the Bulldogs tied the score in the bottom half of the frame on Offutt's 3-run home run and went on top 9-3 thanks to a 6-run second that included 2-run doubles by Offutt and Bendoraitis.

Huntley, which finished the day with 29 runs and 30 base hits, pulled ahead 11-10 with a 6-run fifth. Senior Megan Larson (2-for-4, 4 RBI), who smacked a solo home run in the fourth, added a 2-run single in the fifth while Caitlin Brown delivered an RBI single and Katelyn Behrens had a 2-run double.

Jessica Shields (3-for-5, 3 RBI) had an RBI single in the seventh as the Red Raiders built a 3-run lead prior to the Bulldogs' 4-run rally.

Sophomore Alena Theis was the winning pitcher for the Bulldogs in relief of freshman left-hander Kaylan Waldron (6 strikeouts).

"I thought Kaylan probably got a little tired there," said Castellanos. "She's only a freshman."

In Game 1, Huntley rode the right arm of sophomore pitcher Kateri Conklin, who tossed a 2-hitter with 7 strikeouts.

Conklin, who suffered the Game 2 loss in relief of freshman starter Tiffany Giese, received plenty of offensive support from her teammates in the opener.

The Red Raiders exploded for an 8-run top of the first that was highlighted by Larson's 3-run home run - a line shot that sailed over the fence in right-center.

Haley Spannraft (2-for-3, 4 RBI) capped the early uprising with a 2-run single and later added a 2-run double during the Red Raiders' 7-run fourth. Shannon Walsh, who went 3-for-4 with 5 stolen bases in Game 2, also drove in a pair of runs in the opener.

"We did a good job putting the ball in play and when you do that, good things happen," said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. "When everything is clicking, we'll be a pretty competitive team.

"Kat (Conklin) did a great job," the coach added. "I'm extremely proud of her effort today."

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