Softball: Geneva outslugs Kaneland

Visibly shaking from the bone-chilling conditions, Geneva softball coach Greg Dierks put things in perspective a few moments after his team's 11-9 season-opening victory over nonconference foe Kaneland Wednesday afternoon in Geneva.

“It's a little warmer now than if we had lost,” said Dierks.

Despite a steady drizzle, gusting winds and a game-time temperature hovering around 40 degrees, the two teams combined for 20 runs and 22 base hits during the 5 ½-inning contest (called due to darkness).

“No, it did not,” Dierks said in response to whether the conditions bothered the hitters. “I'm sure the pitchers had some grip issues and stuff because it was cold and wet. There might have been a few pitches that missed their spots but the hitters definitely won the battle today.”

The Vikings (1-0) scored in every inning, ignited by sophomore Katelyn Keller's towering home run to right-center as their leadoff batter in the first after the Knights (1-2) tallied a pair of runs in the top half of the frame.

Keller and Annika Radabaugh (3-for-3, 2 RBI) each delivered RBI singles in the second as the Vikings grabbed a 4-2 lead.

After Kaneland tied it in the third on an RBI single off the bat of Meg Cohrs (3-for-3, 2 RBI) and Courtney Davis' run-producing groundout, the Vikings countered with 2 runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Alissa Dierks sliced an RBI triple to right to put the Vikings back on top 5-4 before Rachel Fanella's RBI grounder made it 6-4.

The Knights narrowed the gap to 6-5 with a run in the fourth before the Vikings touched starting pitcher Davis (1-2) for 3 runs in their half of the inning, highlighted by Radabaugh's RBI double and Molly Wrenn's RBI single.

Trailing 9-5, Kaneland wasn't finished just yet.

The Knights sent 10 batters to the plate during their 4-run fifth. Rachel Goress laced a 2-run single before a throwing error and wild pitch allowed a pair of runs to cross the plate, tying the game at 9-9.

“Geneva has some of the best hitters in the area and we stayed toe to toe with them all day long,” said Kaneland coach Mike Kuefler.

The Knights' fifth-inning rally would have been even bigger if not for a spectacular catch by Vikings center fielder Kate Geary.

Geary raced to her right to rob Mary Clausen of an extra-base hit with 2 out and the bases loaded.

“What a huge play,” said Dierks. “That was the defensive play of the game. It was a game saver. We would have been down three (runs).”

“I knew I had to make a big play for my team,” said Geary.

“I didn't think she would get to it,” said Kuefler. “That was a shot. She caught it in full stride and then went down to the ground.”

Geneva's Sarah Baurer led off the fifth with a bunt single and came across with the eventual game-winning run on a wild pitch.

Emily Plocinski (1-0) worked a 1-2-3 sixth for the Vikings.

“It's good to get a win and it was against a quality team,” said Dierks.