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Softball: Geneva slams 6 home runs against Rosary

With the way Geneva's softball team is playing these days, it's difficult to imagine that the Vikings held a 2-2 record at one point this season.

Less than 24 hours after ending West Aurora's 31-game Upstate Eight Conference winning streak in a 2-0 showdown on Friday, the Vikings (23-2) showed no sign of a letdown during Saturday's 18-0, 5-inning nonconference victory over Rosary (16-7) in Aurora.

Geneva, which stretched its winning streak to 21 games, grabbed a 5-0 lead in the first inning.

Leadoff hitter Katie Keller smacked the third pitch of the game over the left-field fence for a solo home run - the first of 6 long balls on the day for the Vikings.

After 2-out walks to Annika Radabaugh and Alyssa Kramer loaded the bases, Ali Dierks delivered a 2-run single to make it 3-0. The lead grew to 5-0 following a 2-base error on a line drive to right.

"It's very important," Geneva coach Greg Dierks said of jumping on top early. "On Thursday, I thought we got caught looking ahead to the West Aurora game. We were not very sharp against Streamwood (5-1 win).

"We were up 1-0 with two outs in the sixth inning. We talked yesterday about being careful not to let down today. I didn't want a repeat of that."

Keller led off the second inning with her second home run of the game - eighth of the season - before Kaitlyn Plocinski added an RBI single to make it 7-0.

The long ball parade continued during a 5-run third that featured Kramer's solo home run and a 3-run blast off the bat of Plocinski following a costly infield throwing error by the Royals.

"We made a throwing error to first that would've been our third out and what does the next batter do - she hits a three-run bomb," said Rosary coach Megan Tracy.

Freshman shortstop Sam Keller launched a solo home run in the fourth to make it 14-0 before Kramer's second home run of the game and eighth on the season - a 2-run shot - capped a 4-run fifth.

"I just hope I hit it," Kramer said when asked if she looks for a certain pitch in the batter's box. "I try to lay off the high ones and look middle-low."

Eight of the Vikings' 13 hits went for extra bases, fueled by Katie Keller (2 for 2, 2 walks, 4 runs scored), Kramer (2 for 2, walk, 4 RBI) and Plocinski (2 for 3, 4 RBI).

Reserves Sydney Erdmann (double), Anilise Bragg (RBI single) and Meghan Mraz (RBI) also contributed for the Vikings.

"I was very impressed with how we approached our at-bats," said Dierks. "We're in a good place all the way around."

Winning pitcher Ali Dierks allowed 3 hits and struck out 4.

"She's coming back from a little bit of an injury (hand) so it was a good day for Ali on the mound," said the coach.

"That wasn't a very well-played game on our part," said Tracy. "They're a good offensive team."

  Teammates wait a home plate as Geneva's Katelyn Keller comes in with the first of her two home run against Rosary Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Alyssa Kramer rounds the bases with her first of two home runs against Rosary Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Sam Keller hits a home run against Rosary Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Sam Keller has to cover her smile as she rounds second base with a home run against Rosary Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Sam Keller has to cover her smile as she rounds second base with a home run against Rosary Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Rosary's Geneva's Kaitlyn Plocinski rounds third base with a home run Saturday against Rosary in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Rosary left fielder Natalya Flowers can't snare a dropping line drive by Geneva's Annika Radabaugh Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Rosary second baseman Anna Jolee VanGundy forces out Geneva's Anilise Bragg and turns a double play on Meghan Mraz Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Rosary center fielder Xandria Olsen catches a fly ball at the fence by Geneva's Alissa Dierks Saturday in Aurora. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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