Naperville North upsets Benet despite York's 2 homers
At the rate things were going during Thursday's 7-6 victory by the Naperville North softball team over visiting Benet, a calculator was going to be needed to add up the scoresheets. Both teams were headed for double-digit run totals.
But after the Huskies scored twice in the fourth to take that 1-run advantage, the game got quieter and Naperville North (5-4) held on or the victory.
"It's a good feeling to win. We haven't beaten them since my freshman year," said Naperville North junior Alexis Solak, who went 4-for-4 with 3 RBI, 2 doubles and scored three times. "We felt there would be a lot of hits. Last year it was a battle of who had the most hits."
Benet (8-4) started the fireworks right away in its half of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Steph Abello, fresh off setting a new IHSA record for all-time home runs in the Wednesday win over Fenwick, walked. With one out Emily York was 1-2 in the count before connecting - no, crushing - a pitch well over the left-field fence to give the Redwings a 2-0 lead. It was her second homer of the season. No. 3 came in the fourth with two outs, and she sent that pitch over the right-field fence to give Benet a 6-5 lead.
"I liked to say that I have, but I probably haven't hit one that hard before," York said.
Naperville North scored in its half of the first. Leadoff hitter Rachel Aiardo and Kelsey Warren each reached base on infield hits. That set the table for Solak, who doubled to right to score Aiardo. Next came Rachel Martin, who connected on the first of her 3 hits in the game, a single to right that scored Warren and Solak for a 3-0 Huskies advantage.
Naperville North went right back at it the next inning. With one out Aiardo reached second a fielding error. Then with two outs Solak hit her second double, which scored Aiardo. Martin hit her first of two doubles, which scored Solak and the Huskies were up 5-2.
Benet tied the game at 5 in the third. Abello led off with a single to right followed by Jessica Brown's basehit to the same spot. York's single to center scored Abello. A walk to Megan Stoppelman loaded the bases. Sophomore Meagan McCormick was hit by a pitch, forcing in Brown. York later came home on a sacrifice fly by Nina Hulet.
The Huskies took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth inning. Aiardo led off with a single to left and scored on Solak's one-out single to center. Martin's second double scored Solak.
"I expected a 1-run game. But we gave them too many gifts," said Benet coach Jerry Schilf.
After York's second homer, winning pitcher Alex Hanselman faced just 10 batters the final three innings, allowing just one hit and retiring the side in two of the innings.
Benet starter Stoppelman allowed just two hits and no runs in her final two innings.
Naperville North coach Jerry Kedziora said all was working well for the Huskies, especially a defense that needed to be brought up a notch.
"It was one of the most complete games all year. The defense did what they needed to do. We shut them out the last three innings and that was our focus," he said.