Softball: York crushes Glenbard North

After her first two at-bats Saturday, York sophomore softball player Izzy Smith wasn't satisfied with a pair of run-scoring doubles off the outfield fence.

"I just wanted to keep it on a roll," Smith said.

With two additional singles, Smith completed a perfect day at the plate. The Dukes also remained perfect record-wise with a 13-0, five-inning victory over Glenbard North in Elmhurst.

"Usually for the last games, I've gone 2 for 4 but today is the first day I've gone 4 for 4," said Smith, who had 3 runs batted in. "Most of the past few days we've been hitting well collectively from top of bottom."

York (4-0) amassed 15 hits with seven for extra bases. Junior and Western Illinois recruit Kyra Kroll had a two-run triple, junior Andrea Meagher had 2 doubles and was 3 for 3 and junior Madison Collins and sophomore Katherine Karnatz had RBI doubles.

In her pitching debut this season, sophomore Julia Derkowski threw a two-hit shutout with 5 strikeouts and a walk.

"We have a pretty good hitting lineup. If the girls are on, (today is) pretty right on," said first-year York coach Elizabeth Munn, a varsity assistant the past two seasons. "Their bats have been pretty good all around. We're still working on executing, trying more small-ball stuff but we have some hitters."

The Dukes adapted well to having the game site moved from Glenbard North and the doubleheader changed to one game. Because the Panthers were supposed to host, York still batted first on their field at Bryan Middle School.

"I love playing here," Derkowski said. "I'll play anywhere. Put me on the field."

Derkowski allowed only three baserunners with an infield single by No. 9 hitter Mary Price that landed just in front of second base in the third inning and a two-out, first-pitch single in the fifth by No. 8 hitter and relief pitcher Morgan Zitzka. No. 3 hitter Kayla Quanstrum drew a full-count walk with two outs in the first.

"This is my first game back out on the field since last year and I thought it went pretty well," Derkowski said. "I was just relaxed and ready to go. I was just excited to play with my team."

Glenbard North (0-4) did not have usual senior starters Heather Anderson and Gabby Melchiorre in the lineup.

"We've got to get better offensively to be able to compete in some of these games. We haven't gotten going all together yet," Glenbard North coach Josh Sanew said.

"We just didn't hit a lot of things very solid and when we did, we hit them right at people. I feel like we're sort of just trying to make contact instead of drive the ball with a purpose."

Smith, the Dukes' No. 3 hitter, showed her offensive versatility. In the fifth, Smith followed Jane Moran's single with a bunt that she barely beat out. Kroll then tripled.

"Coach Munn told me to bunt and I just wanted to get it down," Smith said.

Derkowski got stronger as the game progressed, striking out three of the last four hitters she faced. Leadoff batter Trinity Medina had probably the Panthers' hardest hit, a line drive caught by center fielder Kroll, who then caught Kaitlyn Scheitler's fly ball.

"Kyra's really good out there. Definitely I warmed up (from there)," Derkowski said.

Derkowski missed previous games participating in the school band trip over spring break. Besides Derkowski, York's other 2016 varsity pitchers return in junior Lauren Wojcik (3-0) and Meagher. Munn, who shared pitch calling as an assistant, uses a numbers system and armbands to minimize communication errors with her pitchers and players.

York has no seniors in the program.

"There's a lot of talent, which is unusual for a young team, but that's been for the last couple of years," Munn said. "Last year was a real growing year because all three pitchers had never pitched on varsity. Now they have a year under their belts. They're feeling more comfortable, confident. I think that shows defensively as well. I think the girls around them are supporting them and everyone's just coming together really well."

Derkowski said she has enjoyed the numerous pasta parties to help team bonding.

Smith is among several field players who also saw significant time last season, splitting between third base and right field.

"Going into this (season), it was just a new start," Smith said. "The seniors were a big part of how we played. I think we still came out strong. We wanted to prove we weren't just going to stoop down because we had no seniors."