Softball: Bahlmann, Batavia blast Streamwood

From the first play of the game to the last, sophomore Allison Bahlmann was in the middle of Batavia's 12-1 win over Streamwood Friday in Upstate Eight Conference River Division action in Batavia.

Bahlmann, Batavia's third baseman, made a diving catch in foul territory to retire the first batter.

Six innings later, Bahlmann ended the game with a 2-run homer over the center-field fence.

"Hearing that sound off the bat, that's one of my favorite things in the world," Bahlman said. "My team put me in a great spot to make that hit."

As for her catch to start the game?

"I just saw the ball, I thought I had the opportunity, and it just stayed in my glove," Bahlman said.

The win continued a strong week for Batavia (9-8, 5-3 in the Upstate Eight River), who knocked off St. Charles North on Tuesday.

Bahlmann also homered against the North Stars.

"She hits the ball real hard when she's up there," said Batavia coach Lupe Castellanos, who celebrated his birthday Friday and was serenaded by his players after the game.

"Right now our girls are playing really well. We are hitting the ball well. We're having great at-bats up there. Even our outs are hard-hit balls."

Bahlmann had 3 of Batavia's 12 hits off Taylyr Crocilla. Rachael Lovestrand went 4-for-4 with 3 runs and 4 RBI, and Toni Galas was 2-for-4 with 3 runs and 4 stolen bases.

All three delivered hits in the first inning to put Streamwood (6-5, 3-4) in an early 3-0 hole. Galas bunted for a hit, Jaelen Lisberg walked and both scored on Lovestrand's triple to right-center.

Lovestrand drove in another run in the second inning to make it 4-0, then Batavia doubled its lead with a 4-run fifth inning. Lovestrand opened the inning with a check-swing single, Kaylan Waldron and Bahlmann also singled, and Batavia capitalized on a Streamwood error in a rundown to score two more runs.

"We made some mistakes and they didn't," Streamwood coach William Shogren said.

Waldron pitched the first two innings for Batavia and Alena Theis the final four. The Sabres scored their only run in the sixth when Melissa Hart's sacrifice fly plated Rebecca Daley, who had singled leading off.

Daley continued her hot hitting going 2-for-3 to lead the Sabres.

"She's been swinging all season like that," Shogren said. "Definitely glad she's doing what she's been doing.

"You are going to lose sometimes. You have to bounce back and they have been."