Key matchups this week could decide UEC River, Valley
The storms that came through the area Friday washed away a pair of softball games that will go a long way toward deciding the Upstate Eight Conference River and Valley championships.
As they do seemingly every year, St. Charles East and St. Charles North are battling for the River title. Their second matchup of the season has been rescheduled for Thursday at North where the North Stars will put their 18-3 overall record and 13-2 in the River on the line against the Saints at 22-4, 14-2.
Geneva stayed alive last week when the Vikings completed a 14-inning win over West Aurora on a clutch 2-out hit by freshman Kate Geary. The Vikings are 15-6, 11-4 and will need to beat both St. Charles schools in their second matchup while getting a little help.
The loss dropped the Blackhawks to 20-7, 13-3, but that's still good enough for West Aurora to hold a 1-game lead over Waubonsie Valley in the Valley entering the week. The Blackhawks and Warriors also were scheduled to play last Friday; they are making up that game at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Kaneland took all suspense out of the Northern Illinois Big XII East race by winning its first seven games. The Knights will close the conference schedule at home Thursday against DeKalb looking to complete an undefeated conference crown.
Sister act squared: Speaking of Geary, Geneva is one of several area teams - St. Charles North and West Aurora, among others - with sisters playing together and making a major impact.
Geary plays second base for the Vikings next to her sister Anna, Geneva's senior 4-year starter at shortstop.
"I see that as a real positive thing," Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. "I think it was real special for Anna to have her sister come in as a freshman. I see them talking to each other a lot and trying to help each other. I think that's been a real good thing for Kate. To come up and play and have someone who is sort of looking out for you has been good."
Geneva has another sister act as its battery, Emily Plocinski pitching to Kaitlyn Plocinski.
"I think it is mostly a positive deal," Dierks said. "Obviously they know each other really well in terms of what to say and what to expect. The fact they spend as much time together as they do is mostly a positive thing. I'm sure there's days where you don't want to hear things from your sister every once in a while."
It's been a good spring for the Vikings who need to get a little more production from their bats the next time they see top-end pitchers like Jillian Waslawski at St. Charles North and St. Charles East's Jordan Hall.
"We have to get a little bit better, we have to put up some runs against pitchers like (them)," Dierks said. "We have to meet that challenge. We have to be better."
Emerging ace: Hall, a junior, took a 12-2 record into this week's games. She saw a little action last year but has taken a big step forward this spring after playing travel softball with the Schaumburg Sluggers.
"We knew she had the tools," Saints coach Kelly Horan said. "She has really bought into what her and (assistant coach) Jarod (Gutesha) are doing so that equals success.
"She got off to a great start, had a little bit of adversity (losses to Waubonsie Valley and St. Charles North), and what I think she did was just learn from it. She's really made the proper adjustments as far as mental prep because she has the physical tools no doubt. It's exciting to see from her."