Softball: Burlington Central, Bartlett pick up wins
Kristina Ahlers' inside-the-park home run was one of the bright spots for Burlington Central (18-5) in its 7-2 win over Elgin (6-19) in nonconference action on Rocket Hill. Danielle Yurgil added a triple and Gretchen Schrubbe's 2 hits provided 3 RBI. Ashley Ratliff pitched 7 innings and gave up just 2 runs on 2 hits with 12 strikeouts and 1 walk to improve to 6-1 overall. Rachel Turner, Madison Latham (2B) Lexi Ruiz (2B) were Elgin's top hitters while Cassidy Sell and Jessica Rago had 1 RBI. Rago suffered the loss in the circle as her strikeout streak of 40-straight batters without a walk ended in the second inning.
Bartlett 12, Cary-Grove 0 (5 inn.): Taylor Rotondo (2B, 4 RBI) and Katie Fornoff each had 2 hits for the Hawks (17-9), who cruised to a nonconference win over the Trojans (6-15). Danielle Kirby tossed a 2-hitter to go along with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk in 5 innings of work in the circle. Alyssa Nowak (HR) and Amber Pagan (2B) each had 2 RBI while Sydney Quagliano tripled for Bartlett. Nicollette Richardi and Brianne Prank were the only 2 C-G hitters. Huntley 9, McHenry 2: Rylie Porretto went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI while Autumn Kasal and Megan Baczewski both went 2-for-4, doubled and had 2 RBI in a Fox Valley Conference Valley win for the Red Raiders (17-5, 6-0). Caitlin Brown and Jessica Shields each had 2 hits and 2 RBI while pitcher Tiffany Giese (17-4) was locked in, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks in a complete game win.
Hampshire 6, Richmond-Burton 4: Payton De Chant's RBI single in the top of the seventh gave the Whip-Purs (12-15) a nonconference win over the Rockets. Sarah Bowen added an insurance run scoring De Chant (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) in a 2-run seventh inning rally. Morgan Haefling and Aly Snider (2 RBI) had 2 hits and Jasmine Lopez (7 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 K, 1BB) got the win in the circle.
Batavia 18, Larkin 1: A 9-run first was just half of what the Bulldogs (13-10, 9-5) were able to do in this Upstate Eight River win. Ashley McNamara had 3 hits including a home run while Brieann Cruz and Ashley Klemm (2B) each had 2 hits. Kaylan Waldron (1 H, 2 K, 4 BB) earned the win in 3 innings of work.
Serena 11, Aurora Christian 0 (5 inn.): The Eagles (3-15, 2-7) dropped this nonconference matchup as Serena pounded out 11 runs on 14 hits, including a 10-run fourth inning that put it out of reach. Raeann Holloway, Grace Folino and Ayonna Brown accounted for all of AC's hits.
DeKalb 14, Kaneland 1 (6 inn.): The Knights (14-12, 5-6) mustered just 1 run on 5 hits as the Barbs punched out 14 runs on 14 hits in this NI Big 12 East loss. Morgan Weber (2-for-3) had a double while Courtney Davis had 1 RBI.
IC Catholic 12, Westminster Christian 6: Kristen Mason (2 hits) doubled and had 2 RBI and Sarah Schmitt smacked 3 hits but it wasn't enough to snag a nonconference win. Drew Randazo had 2 RBI, which helped the Warriors (7-11) gain a 4-3 lead in the sixth until the Knights dropped a 9-spot to break it wide open. Westminster pitcher Taryn Boltz was charged with the loss.