Softball: Hersey's heart prevails again

Hersey softball coach Molly Freeman has talked on numerous occasions about her players' heart.

The Huskies showed it again on Tuesday, rallying from an 8-1 deficit after four innings to edge visiting Niles North 9-8 in the nonconference game in Arlington Heights.

It was the Huskies' ninth win in 10 games as they tuned up for a Mid-Suburban League crossover date at Schaumburg today.

Filling in for regular freshman leadoff batter Makayla Tsagalis (illness), sophomore Jodie Hermann (2-for-4, 3 RBI) responded with the first two homers of her career.

The second was a solo blast in the bottom of the seventh when Hersey pushed across the 3 runs to win the game.

Also getting into the home run act was usual suspect Katie Wingerter (2-for-3), the Huskies junior shortstop who belted her single-season school-record 15th.

Other top hitters for the Huskies (17-11) were sophomore Hannah Graff (2-for-4) and freshman Brianna Luciano (2-for-4).

Kaitkyn Denten (5-3), who pitched the final four innings to gain the win, also doubled as did teammates Sofia Cano and Luciano.

St. Viator 5, Highland Park 4: St. Viator moved into double digits in the win column on senior day in Arlington Heights.

The Lions (10-17) opened the nonconference game with doubles in the bottom of the first inning from Cam VanValkenburg (3 hits) and Addy Swiderski (2 hits) for their first run.

After the Giants tied the game, the Lions scored 3 times in the second after two were out.

Rox Kowalczuk, Catherine Hafner (2 hits) and Cam VanValkenburg had consecutive singles for 1 run followed by Aryana Ziakas' 2-run double.

With the game tied at 4-4, Kowalczuk drew a leadoff walk in the sixth.

After advancing to second she scored the decisive run on a double by VanValkenburg.

Meg Naughton picked up her third win, allowing no earned runs while scattering 7 hits.

Metea Valley 12, Elk Grove 5: Junior Kylie Thomsen doubled for the Grenadiers (23-5) in the nonconference game.