Softball: Falkstrom forces the issue for Carmel

Karina Falkstrom helped Carmel Catholic's softball team salvage a split of its East Suburban Catholic Conference doubleheader on Saturday by hitting 3 solo home runs in a 14-3 win over visiting Joliet Catholic.

Falkstrom finished 3-for-4, and Claire Petrus was 4-for-4 with a homer, 2 doubles and 3 RBI for Carmel (21-11), which finished 8-6 in the ESCC. Amanda Elert doubled and finished 3-for-5, and Emma Bartz also hit a home run. Jen Giesey earned the win.

Joliet Catholic won the opener 7-5, despite a 2-run homer by Bartz, who also doubled and finished with 3 RBI. Elert was 2-for-4 with a double, and Petrus went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.

Carmel opens the state tournament on Tuesday. The Corsairs, the fourth seed in the Class 3A Wauconda sectional, will host No. 13 Regina Dominican at 4:30 p.m.

Grayslake North 4, Johnsburg 0: Jenna Pozezinski threw a complete-game shutout, scattering 3 singles while striking out five and walking three, as the Knights won the postseason tuneup.

Lauren Olsen had a clutch two-out 2-RBI double. Katie Moats and Carissa Popp had the other RBI for Grayslake North. Seven players had hits for the Knights.

Cary-Grove 5, Lakes 4: On Friday, Jen Reed hit a 3-run homer for the visiting Eagles in their nonconference loss.

Karlie Rotunno was 2-for-3 for Lakes.