Softball: Fox Valley roundup
Huntley sweeps Hononegah: The Red Raiders (7-2) marched through a nonconference doubleheader unscathed, combining for 26 hits and 17 runs. Huntley garnered a 10-2 victory in Game 1 over the Indians as Kateri Conklin (6-1) allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts in 7 innings and the offense gave her enough insurance. Hayley Omara went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and a home run, 2 stolen bases and 4 RBI, Jessica Shields finished 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI and Megan Baczewski went 1-for-2 with a homer, 2 walks and 2 RBI. Haley Spannraft also had 2 hits and 2 steals and scored twice. In a 7-3 win in Game 2, the Indians jumped to a 2-run lead in the first inning, but 4 Huntley runs bridging the second, third and fourth innings and a 3-spot in the seventh settled matters as Tiffany Colese (7 IP, 3ER, 3R, 9 H, 7K) notched her first win of the season. Shields finished 4-for-4 with 3 stolen bases and 2 runs while Omara (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Baczewski (RBI) homered. Spannraft (2-for-3) walked and drove in a run.
St. Edward takes two: The Green Wave (7-1-1, 2-1) dominated IC Catholic Prep in a Metro Suburban Conference doubleheader. Allison Stratman (3-4, 2B, RS), Ryann Scully (2-3, 3B, RBI, 2 SB, 2 R, BB), Devyn Ernst (2-4, RBI) and Megan Strong (1-3, 2 SB, RS, BB) gave Lindsay Zdroik (7 IP, 12K, 1 BB, 0 ER) enough offense in Game 1. Game 2 was a carbon copy as Zdroik (2 strikeouts) kept Knights the hitless in 4 shutout innings, while she went 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI at the plate. Gloria Stoltz (2-3, 2B), Rachel Lesh (2-3), Ernst (2-4, RBI), Stratman (1-4, 3B, RBI), Scully (1-4, RBI, 2 R) and Strong (1-3, 2 SB, 2 R, BB) carried the offensive load as the Wave accounted for 22 hits on the day.
Westminster scores 43 runs: The Warriors (4-0) weren't shy about run production, outscoring Aurora Christian 43-7 with a 31-6 edge in hits in a doubleheader sweep. Westminster won the opener 22-4 in 5 innings, fueled by Kristen Mason (4-4, 4 RBI, 3 RS), Jackie Calabrese (3-3, 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB), Drew Randazzo (2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Dana Rio (3-4, 4 RBI, 2B, 3 R) and Sarah Schmitt (3-5, 2 RBI, 2 R), who helped the Warriors score all 22 runs in the game's first 3 innings. Rachel Rich allowed 5 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits, 4 walks and 4 strikeouts for the win in the circle. Game 2 ended in 6 innings with a 21-3 thumping as Westminster collected 12 hits and Mason again was 4-for-4 (4 RBI) with a triple, 2 doubles and 4 runs scored. Randazzo (2-2, 2 RBI, 3 R) and Dana Rio (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R) stayed hot and Mason also earned the victory in 5 innings pitched, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (1 earned) with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.
Central swept: The Rockets (4-5) were limited to 2 runs on 9 hits in nonconference losses to Libertyville. In a 12-1, 5-inning loss in Game 1, Central allowed 15 hits. Ashley Ratliff took the loss. Gretchen Schrubbe (1-2) accounted for the only Central RBI. The finale of the twin bill saw the Wildcats score runs in each of the first 2 innings and hold on for a 4-1 victory. Alyssa Mish's RBI for Central came in the seventh and pitcher Courtni Neubauer was tagged for only 2 hits and 2 earned runs on 3 walks. She struck out one batter in 6 innings. The Rockets were charged with 5 errors.
South Elgin loses twice: South Elgin (4-6) dropped a nonconference doubleheader against Naperville North. The Huskies won the opener 7-2. North scored 5 runs in the second inning and Stacey Bellack's RBI late wasn't enough for the Storm. Karli Dobler (6 IP, 7 R, 6 ER, 13 H, 1 BB, 3 K) was charged with the loss in 6 innings of work. North took the second game 13-12, scoring 3 runs in the final frame for the walk-off win. Cassidy Westland (2-for-5, 3 RBI) homered while both Rachel Ziemba (3-for-4) and Amber Derr (2-for-4, 2 RBI) doubled for the Storm, who jumped to an 8-4, second-inning lead. Taylor Ford (2-for-4), Alissa Hargett (3-for-4) and Bellack (3-for-5) helped the Storm compile 16 hits, but the defense committed 6 errors.
Jacobs 12, Palatine 11: Trailing 11-2, the Golden Eagles (4-7) rallied for 8 runs in the fifth inning and 2 in the sixth for a comeback nonconference win at the Leyden Invite in Rosemont. Taylor Belo (3-for-4, RBI) managed 2 triples, and Emily Jorgenson's only hit was a triple. Katie Borchert (2-for-4) had 2 RBI and Teagan Richman (2-for-3), Sarah Murray and Alexis Addante each drove in a run. Jessica Powell scored the winning run on an error at short after Richman singled to center. Richman (6 IP, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) was credited with the win.
Leyden 3, Jacobs 2: The Golden Eagles were limited to 2 runs on 4 hits as Sarah Murray's triple and RBIs from Alexis Addante and Teagna Richman weren't enough in a matinee in Rosemont. Addante, who allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, 5 walks and 3 strikeouts, took the loss.
Dundee-Crown 14, Hampshire 6: The Chargers (4-1) took command of a Fox Valley Conference crossover win over the Whip-Purs with 21 hits, including home runs from the Weeks sisters, Claire and Casey. Claire Weeks went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI while Casey Weeks was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Other offensive standouts included Sydney Ruggles (3-5, BB), Andrea Conway (2-4, 2 RBI), Deanna Origer (3-5, RBI) and Isabel Rodriguez (RBI), who finished 4-for-5. Ruggles allowed 6 runs (4 earned) on 14 hits and struck out 6 in 7 innings. Hampshire (3-8) never led as D-C jumped to a 6-2 second inning lead. Ellie Lapi led the Whip-Purs with 3 hits and an RBI while Lauren Egger was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Haley Widmayer (2-4) had Hampshire's only extra base hit.
Lakes 10, Larkin 5: The Eagles snapped a 5-5 tie with a 5-run top of the seventh to win this nonconference game against the Royals. Haley Bohne (3-4, RBI) and Sarah Hansen (2-4) homered while Bella Aguinaga (3-3), Sophie Young (2-4) and Megan Chwee (2-3) scored each scored. Danielle Newquist had a hit and 2 RBI. Hansen suffered the loss in the circle in 6⅔ innings.