West Aurora plays complete game, blanks Batavia
While West Aurora is off to a promising start this season at 8-4 including a win over St. Charles North and a 12-inning loss to St. Charles East, Randy Hayslett's squad is a few timely hits away from an even bigger breakout year.
The Blackhawks showed their potential Thursday when they can add the clutch hits to their strong pitching and defense.
West Aurora came through with 2-out RBI hits in the first, second and fourth innings, which was more than enough for Hannah Beatus in the circle in a 7-0 Upstate Eight crossover win over visiting Batavia.
"Solid defense off the bat, scoring runs early which has been our nemesis," Hayslett said. "We've had runners on early and not driven them in, today we drove them in. Even our outs were hard-hit today. It was a good recipe for our team.
"We have games where we haven't got the clutch hits. Our record is good, it could be even better."
The Bulldogs (6-5, 3-3 in the Upstate Eight River) were their own worst enemy with 5 errors. Of the 7 runs starter Rachael Lovestrand (1-1) allowed, only 3 were earned.
Beatus reached on an error in the first and scored on a rocket single by Cara Jimenez.
Kim Shliff delivered the first of the 2-out run-scoring hits with a line single over the shortstop's head to score Jimenez and give West Aurora (8-4-1, 4-1-1 in the UEC Valley) a 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, Taylor Podschweit's 2-out double to the gap in left-center scored Kendall Podschweit who had opened the inning with a single.
Taylor Podschweit also drove in runs with a single in the fourth and a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Taylor and Kendall Podschweit combined to go 5 for 6 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored while Taylor also played stellar defense at shortstop.
Jessica Wayzer came off the bench for an RBI single in a 3-run sixth inning. Kallie Rundle drew 2 walks and scored both times.
All of that support made life easier for Beatus who stranded 8 baserunners, allowing 5 singles and 2 walks while fanning six in a complete game.
"We were working the corners real good and the defense helped a lot," said Beatus, now 5-3. "When I missed my spots they backed me up. With Carley (Frauenhoff) behind the plate she did a good job framing back there. You can always count on Carley to do that."
Frauenhoff also threw out a would-be base stealer, and Jessica Vargas, who laid down two perfect sacrifice bunts, took an extra-base hit away from Lovestrand with a running catch in right field.
Natalie Offutt led Batavia with 2 hits.
"At the varsity level you can't afford to make 5 errors," Batavia coach Lupe Castellanos said. "It's hard to come back from that especially against pitchers like that. She had us off-balance. When you give good teams extra outs they capitalize on that."
Both teams take part in the Fox Valley Tournament Friday and Saturday at Stuart Sports Complex.
"It will be tough competition so that will be good for us," said Beatus, whose team opens with Kaneland. "We'll see some good pitching."