Softball: Lakes rolls to victory in season opener
Freshman Camryn Jones had 3 hits and 5 RBI, and Lakes' softball team opened its season with an 18-0 win over First Assembly Christian out of Cordova, Tenn., in Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday.
Lakes scored all of its runs in the first three innings.
Jones had a two-run triple and two-double in the first. The other highlights in the inning included a sacrifice fly by Melanie Grupka, an RBI triple by Kayla Jackson, an RBI single by Ashley Horner, a two-run double by Ally Perdue, an RBI single by Grupka and an RBI single by Sarah Tubek.
Lakes' second inning featured an RBI single by Georgia Ohren, an RBI double by Jones and a two-run double by Grupka.
Perdue was in control on the rubber. She gave up just 1 hit, walked none and struck out three during her 3 innings of work.
Carmel Catholic sweeps: In Gulf Shores, Ala., the Corsairs improved to 4-0 with their second sweep in as many days, 8-0 over Demopolis and 6-4 over Clement.
Against Demopolis, Jen Giesey went 2-for-3, and Amanda Elert was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI. Northwestern-bound Emma Bartz went 1-for-1 with a 2-run homer. Freshman Jordan Swiatkowski doubled and knocked in a run. Claire Petrus, who's signed with UW-Oshkosh, earned the win. She allowed 3 hits, struck out three and walked one.
Giesey picked up the victory against Clement. Dani DeLozier was 2-for-3, Elert (1-for-3) hit a 2-run shot (her third homer of the season), and Bartz was 1-for-1 (hit by pitch) with 2 RBI.
Libertyville 3, Flagler Palm Coast 2: In Florida, the Wildcats improved to 4-0, including 3-0 on their trip, as Hannah Heraty went the distance in the circle, striking out three and walking one against a quality opponent.
"This was one of the best games I've seen Hannah pitch in the last two years," Wildcats coach Elissa Wisniewski said. "Her control was on point and her location on pitches to get very very good hitters to miss hit was great."
Sam Hilldale had the game-winning hit. She finished 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Jessie Lauret was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base. Alli Flores (1-for-3) broke up a no-hit bid.
"Sam came up clutch with the bat," Wisniewski said. "It's great to see her execute in those big-pressure situations as a junior. Jessie also sealed the game for us, recording the last out with a layout diving catch in the 5/6 hole to end the game. Those are very hard plays to make and we work on them every day. It's so great to see her execute those types of plays and set the tone for our defense."
Junior Maddie Hollinger also had an inning-ending diving catch in right field to end a scoring threat.
"It was a great old-school type softball game - great pitching, great defense and small ball with timely hitting," Wisniewski said.
Cary-Grove 8, Lake Zurich 7: The visiting Bears fell to 0-4 on the season, despite Amanda Guercio's 4-for-4 effort at the plate. She doubled and scored twice.
Jessica Puccinelli, Sarah Schnecker (triple, RBI) and Melissa Goldberg (double, 2 RBI) were all 2-for-4 for Lake Zurich.
Fairview 11, Vernon Hills 4: In Gulf Shores, Ala., the Cougars got 2 hits apiece from Nicole Pieper (double), Danielle Comitor and Tatiana Guletsky (2 RBI).
Dana Meline tripled for Vernon Hills (1-2).
Midway 5, Grayslake Central 3: In Orlando, Fla., the Rams lost for the second day in a row.
Lindsay Brust was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Breanna Albert went 2-for-3 for Grayslake Central (1-2). Morgan Smigielski suffered the loss, despite allowing just 1 earned run (6 total) in 5 innings.