Wacker, Fremd already in game shape

Coming off another extremely memorable girls basketball campaign, Fremd senior Julia Wacker dove right into the softball season.

Literally.

The Vikings' talented all-conference first baseman made a terrific diving stop to her right and then quickly flipped to second baseman Becca Uhrich for the second out of the second inning on Monday.

It was the defensive highlight as host Fremd opened its 15th season under coach Jim Weaver with a 16-0, five-inning shutout over Fenton at Heritage Park in Wheeling.

Wacker's gem was part of her team's errorless game which helped sophomore pitchers Nikki Kehoe (3 innings) and Jessica Mazur (2 hitter) combine for a 1-hitter.

The game was played on fake turf but Wacker was the real deal at first base.

She also made a nice stretch for the final out of the first inning.

"I'm not afraid to get dirty" said Wacker, who played a big role in the Vikings' second straight runner-up finish in the Class 4A basketball tourney.

"Actually, it's easier diving for balls on the artificial turf because it's softer when you slide and you don't stick. It's a little less fun, though, because you don't get as dirty."

Wacker and the Vikings look tobe set for plenty of fun this season.

"It's kind of fun going from one family (basketball) to another (softball)," said Wacker (1-for-2, RBI), whose family next winter will become her Hillsdale College women's basketball team in Michigan.

"This was a very good way to start the season," she added. "The key, though, is consistency. I think this set a good tone for the season."

Weaver allowed all 14 of his Vikings to tune up for the rest of the week.

Coming off the bench to reach base, collect a RBI or score a run were sophomore Hannah Ban, junior Ann Marie O'Sullivan, senior Maddie Mellin and freshman Jordyn Iannuzzelli.

Third baseman Holly Straup (4 RBI) had RBI singles in the first and second innings when the Vikings scored 3 and 7 runs, respectively.

Leadoff batter Abby Iuorio reached base four times (all via walks), scoring twice, while No. 2 hitter Reagan Schneider had an RBI in each of her first 2 at-bats.'

Senior Alyssa Garcia had an RBI and 3 stolen bases.

Mazur (double), Lexi D'Ambrosio (2 hits, triple) and Kylie Hess (2 hits, triple) each had extra base hits for Fremd. Uhrich walked twice and singled.

"We've had Fremd on our schedule for eight straight years," said Fenton coach Dave Mello, who also directs the Bartlett girls basketball program in the winter. "Jim (Weaver) does a great job. They are going to be a very good team. We've moved up to Class 4A this season so we have to prepare for teams like this."

Bison senior third baseman Diana Pikul was prepared for her first at-bat of the season, clubbing a long double to left field for Fenton's only hit of the game.

She was also the only Bison to reach base.

"You'd love to win every game but we'll use this as a great learning experience," said Mello, an Elk Grove High School graduate. "We played two freshmen at second base (Isa Lozada and Payton Pugliese) and had other new faces on the varsity. So it was a great experience for them to see high-level softball."

Kehoe, who was 14-5 last spring, notched her first win as a sophomore by retiring nine of the 10 batters she faced.

Mazur was perfect in her two innings, striking out four, including the final batter of the game.