Softball: Crystal Lake South routs Larkin
Trailing Larkin 3-0 after a half inning of play, Crystal Lake South softball coach Scott Busam had to be thinking it could a long day for his Gators.
Busam didn't need to worry.
The Gators responded with 6 runs in the bottom of the first inning and added 9 in the third in cruising to a 19-4 win over the visiting Royals in a five-inning nonconference game in Crystal Lake Friday afternoon.
"We played as bad as we could possibly play in the first inning," said Busam. "We responded with a big bottom of the first inning and we tightened up defensively. I like the way we swung the bats up and down the lineup. We were patient and showed great discipline at the plate. We had a plan and executed it."
Larkin (0-3) jumped on South starter Tina Toniolo for 3 runs in the first courtesy of a 3-run homer by Haley Bohne. The Royals took advantage of 2 Gator errors and 2 walks by Toniolo.
Larkin's lead was short-lived as the Gators (3-0) scored 6 runs on 7 hits in the bottom of the first.
The big hit was a 3-run homer from No. 8 hitter Hannah Corcoran while Emily Sulikowski contributed an RBI double and Carly Chovanec and Sam Schetti produced run-scoring singles.
The Gators seized control of the contest with 9 runs in the third.
With 15 batters coming to the plate, Kyra Swartz collected a 3-RBI triple and Schetti along with Chovanec provided 2-RBI singles.
Scoring 19 runs on 20 hits, the Gators were led by Skylar Olsen (2 runs scored), Sulikowski (2 RBI), Chovanec (3 runs scored, 5 RBI) and Schetti (3 runs scored, 3 RBI), who collected 3 hits each.
"I was really seeing the ball well at the plate and got good swings the whole game," said Chovanec. "So far this season, everybody is swinging the bats well."
The Gators used both Toniolo and Sam Burgard in the pitchers circle. Toniolo, who walked the first 2 batters she faced, settled down after a shaky first inning. The winning pitcher, Toniolo gave up 4 runs on 4 hits in 3 innings of work with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Burgard blanked the Royals on 1 single in 2 innings while striking out 4 and walking 2.
"I planned on using both pitchers today," said Busam. "The game dictated that. Tina settled down after a rough first inning and Sam pitched very well. Both did a great job."
For Larkin, Bohne drove in all 4 runs with a 3-run homer and an RBI single.
"We came ready to play and that is good to see," said Larkin coach Anne Vogt. "I like the way we swung the bats. We gave them six outs in the third and that hurt. Give (South) credit they really swing the bats well."