Softball: Libertyville goes 4-1 in Florida
Libertyville's softball team had successful Spring Break trip to Orlando. Fla., this week, going 4-1.
The Wildcats opened with a 6-3 win over Springford (Pa.), as winning pitcher Hannah Heraty allowed just 1 earned run in a complete-game effort. She struck out three and walked one. She also homered to aid her own cause, while Sam Hilldale went 3-for-3.
Springford then edged Libertyville 10-9, as Heraty took the loss in relief of her sister Lauren, who started in the circle and pitched 4 innings. Maggie Evers led the Wildcats' offensive attack, going 4-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI. Hilldale went 3-for-3 again, Lyndsey Lyon was 2-for-4, and Sarah Bennett had a single and 2 RBI.
Libertyville rebounded to beat Middleton (Wis.) 7-1. Hannah Heraty pitched all 7 innings, and the Wildcats got homers from Lyon and Evers. Hilldale was 3-for-5, while adding 2 hits apiece were Kenzie Rother, Hannah Heraty (2 doubles), Evers, Emily Hilldale and Lauren Heraty.
Libertyville followed up with a 15-0 win over Episcopal (Pa.). Lauren Heraty belted a grand slam, doubled and knocked in 6 runs. Lyon (3 RBI) homered for the second game in a row, and Evers finished 2-for-2 with 2 RBI.
Libertyville wrapped up its trip with a 6-4 win over Middleton, as Hannah Heraty went the distance in the circle again. Lyon made it 3 homers in as many games, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBI again. Rother was 3-for-4 with 3 stolen bases, while Sam Hilldale and Evers were both 2-for-3 as well.
For the week, Sam Hilldale was 12-for-17 (. 706 BA), and Evers went 10-for-16 (. 625 BA). Both Evers and Lyon (7-for-17) hit 3 homers.
Grant wins twice: In Tennessee, the Bulldogs won twice for the second day in a row.
Grant (4-0) started the day by beating Cambridge Springs (Pa.) 11-1 behind Erin Bengston's 2 homers and 5 RBI. Calista Warmowski and Megan Mitchell both tripled, and Becca Wold was 2-for-2. Winning pitcher Megan Chapman gave up only 3 hits.
"The defense had her back again, shutting down a good-hitting and contact team," coach Chris Van Alstine said.
As it did Wednesday, Grant beat Polk County, this time by a 13-1 score behind the pitching of Sydney Goessele, who had a perfect game going into the fifth inning. Bengston hit another homer, and Taylor Hood had 3 hits.
"The defense roamed around again and made some ridiculous plays, capped off by Bengston's diving stop on a ripped groundball down the line at third," Van Alstine said. "Both dugouts were stunned. She got up and threw the girl out like it was no big deal.
"Overall, this team is playing well and just really enjoying themselves."
Carmel 12, Vernon Hills 10: A pair of Lake County teams finished up their Spring Break trip to Alabama by playing a game against each other.
Carmel prevailed at Gulf Shores High, as Sydney Schuda went 4-for-5 with 2 RBI. Jess Dettwiller was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, and Lauren Caffarelli finished 2-for-3 for the Corsairs (5-3), who went 3-3 in Alabama. Marla Walinski earned the win.
Carmel had lost three straight to Alabama opponents: 6-5 in an international tiebreaker to Charles Henderson on Wednesday night, 18-3 to Pisgah on Tuesday and 6-0 to Austin Hon on Tuesday.
Vernon Hills finished 1-5 on its trip.
The Cougars started the week by beating Good Hope 4-2, before losing to Charles Henderson 4-2, Spain Park 9-0, Hayden 9-1 and Haleyville 8-3.
Grayslake Central 5, Wausau West 4: In Florida, the Rams held on for the victory, as both Brooke Heraty and Nicole Warren had a pair of hits.
Reagen Radke started the game in the circle for Grayslake Central and pitched 3 shutout innings of 1-hit ball. She struck out eight and walked two. Grace Bradley pitched the final 4 innings for the Rams.