Softball: Geneva rallies by Kaneland
It took seven innings before Geneva got to Kaneland freshman pitcher Emilee Erickson Tuesday in its season opener in Maple Park.
That turned out to be just in time.
Trailing 2-1 and down to their final 2 outs, No. 9 hitter Anilise Bragg drew a key walk that eventually led to Kaitlyn Plocinski's 3-run triple and a 4-2 Geneva win.
Through 6 innings the short-handed Vikings (1-0) had struck out 11 times and managed just 3 hits and an unearned run against the left-handed Erickson.
"We didn't have four of our key players today," said Geneva catcher Katie Keller, who went 3-for-4. "Definitely felt everyone had a good attitude and felt like they were supposed to be in this game and played cohesive. That was a great win to have."
Keller followed Bragg's walk with a single, and Katie Geary singled to load the bases.
Plocinski smashed an Erickson offering the opposite way into the right-field gap to clear the bases.
"Anilise getting on really set up that inning," Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. "We had great at-bats from everybody after that and Kaitlyn really put a good swing on that to smack that to right-center. She stayed down and really drove it hard. Erickson threw a great game."
Ali Dierks sealed the win in the seventh, striking out the final 2 hitters to strand Morgan Weber at first base.
Earlier, Dierks made a diving catch and doubled a runner off third base to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the third.
"I laid out for it and knew I had to look for the double play and get out of the inning," Dierks said. "That was awesome. We were looking for someone to pick us up and I'm glad I had the opportunity to. My defense was picking me up all game so I'm glad I had the opportunity to help them out too.
"That was a really good way to start the season for sure."
Weber led Kaneland (0-2) with 3 hits including an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the third. Lexi Abruzzo added 2 hits out of the leadoff spot.
Hailey Roach smashed a run-scoring triple in the second to score Natalie Kraemer who had singled.
"That was good for her (Roach)," Kaneland coach Mike Kuefler said. "I'm glad she was able to barrel up on the ball.
"Emily did a tremendous job. I had all intentions of platooning our pitchers these first three games, but the way she was throwing we felt she earned the right to finish the game. She did an exceptional job. I'm excited for what she's going to be able to give us in the future, in the near future. Geneva is a dangerous team and she kept them off balance the entire game."