Softball: West Aurora, Bartlett shine on trips south
On one hand, West Aurora first baseman Kallie Rundle has it easy.
She's on the same team with ace pitchers Hannah Beatus and Payton Lundberg, so she doesn't have to face them.
Except for practice ... though even that turns into an advantage for Rundle and her teammates.
"We do live hitting so you get to see good pitchers and it really prepares you for the game," Rundle said.
Beatus is a senior headed to Grand Valley State, and Lunderg is a sophomore committed to DePaul.
Those two were on their games last week in Tennessee, pitching the Blackhawks to a 5-1 record and the championship of the Upper Cumberland tournament.
Lundberg opened the tournament by throwing a no-hitter against Downers Grove South, striking out 10.
Freshman Gab Drager, who has provided a spark at the top of the lineup, took the only loss.
Neither Lundberg (4-0) or Beatus (3-1) gave up an earned run in the tournament. In 31 innings pitched this year, Lundberg already has 62 strikeouts.
"Hannah and Payton pitched lights out on the entire tournament," West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said.
Bartlett takes second: For the first time in the 10 years Bartlett's softball team has been going to the Zaxbys Tournament in Clarksville, Tenn., the Hawks reached the championship game.
But in that game Bartlett ran into one of Tennessee's top-ranked teams and fell to Brentwood 6-0 on Saturday.
Earlier in the day Bartlett defeated Station Camp (TN) 4-2 and 6-0 as well as Clarksville Northeast 9-1.
Janelle Ulaszek led the Hawks, going 3-1 in the circle for the day as well as driving in 5 runs. Amber Pagan was also hot at the plate with 5 hits in 7 at-bats, a home run, 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Ulaszek added 5 RBI in the four games on Saturday.
"It was a very good trip," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith, whose team is now 7-3-1. "We tightened up our defense, Janelle and Amber both pitched very well and we started hitting the ball with some authority.
"It was the best spring trip we've had in the 10 years we've been coming here."
Kaneland climbs to .500: Kaneland traveled even further than West Aurora and Bartlett, spending its spring break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Knights left for the trip at 0-3 but came home 4-4-1.
Freshman Emilee Erickson has joined Aly Jesionowski in the circle.
"Her arm speed is exceptional with all pitches," Kaneland coach Mike Kuefler said of Erickson. "It's hard to pick up her spin. Her arm speed is very consistent and I think that's what makes her so impressive. We're real excited about her. As her confidence grows she'll get better and better."