Softball: Hampshire opens with a win

Melissa Esparza and Gwen Malecke both homered and combined for 7 RBI to help Hampshire get its softball season started on the right foot Thursday with a 14-3 win over Woodstock.

Esparza finished 2-for-2 with 4 RBI. Morgan Haefling had 3 hits and 2 runs, and Delaney Rummell singled, doubled and scored 3 runs.

Sarah Bowen, Erin Doyle and Renee Malecke all had 2 hits; Hampshire had 16 as a team.

Jasmine Lopez picked up the win, allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out eight.

Jacobs 15, Johnsburg 12: Emily Pena hit a 3-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to give Jacobs a walk-off win.

Jacobs scored 4 runs in both the bottom of the sixth and seventh for the come-from-behind win.

Pena finished with 3 hits and 6 RBI.

Alexis Addante also homered. She had 2 hits and scored 3 runs.

Jess Mrzlak went 3-for-5 with a double, 2 runs and 4 RBI. Kerri Healy also had 3 hits and a double and scored 3 runs. Gaby Silva went 4-for-4, and winning pitcher Savannah Svedman and Grace O'Malley each had 2 hits.

South Elgin loses twice: At a tournament in Murfeesboro, Tenn., South Elgin (0-2) lost 8-0 to Riverdale and 9-2 against Baylor. Both opponents are Tennessee high schools.

Alissa Hargett and Casey Brennan both had 2 hits against Riverdale while Sidney Strama threw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Against Baylor, Mariah Spivey smacked a 2-run homer. Brennan again had 2 hits and scored a run.

Joliet Catholic 16, Aurora Central 9: The Chargers (0-2) scored once in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 9, then Joliet Catholic scored 7 times in the top of the eighth for the win. Aurora Central couldn't overcome 8 errors.

Isabell Gonzalez homered and went 4-for-5 with 4 RBI to lead Aurora Central's 13-hit attack. Alheia Valazquez, Danielle Brown and Jessica Kling all had 2 hits.