Softball: Warren's big-inning approach denies Mundelein

It's worth looking up this record.

It started in the opening inning, when Mundelein leadoff hitter Jordyn West ripped a double to left field.

In the second, catcher Peyton Pribyl went to right field with her two-base hit for the Mustangs.

In the third, third baseman Kira Buckner roped another leadoff double.

The last inning-opening double, in the fourth, belonged to Kendall Klatt.

Four leadoff doubles in one game?

Yet just two of those lead off doubles scored on Monday afternoon.

And in the meantime, the visiting Blue Devils from Warren had an 8-run fourth inning.

Warren (20-6, 10-1) proved once again, it's a dangerous team. At one point Warren flirted with winning it in 5 innings by mercy rule; instead, the Blue Devils settled for a 12-3 romp.

"No, I've not seen that before ,''said Warren coach Jenna Charbonneau about the doubles parade by the Mustangs. "But we weren't going to let it go today."

Warren out-hit Mundelein by just one (13-12). So we have to credit winning pitcher Caitlyn Britton not only with a complete game, but also with stranding all of those base runners from Mundelein.

Mundelein assistant coach Michelle Billone lamented not getting more of those runners home.

"We got those leadoff doubles, but we had too many left on base,'' Billone said. "We played Warren last week and lost only 3-2 but Warren has plenty of good hitters."

Warren shortstop Emily Hudgins reached base all five times. She scored 3 runs, had 2 hits and drove in a pair of runs.

"Our offense carried us today,'' Hudgins said. "We also had some great base running."

As the starting shortstop for the Blue Devils, Hudgins has high hopes for her last team at Warren.

"We have great teammates here,'' she said. "We can win state."

Hudgins reached base on an error to open the game. She moved up on a base hit by second baseman Claire Swedberg and scored on Britton's

sacrifice fly. Swedberg also scored on Erika Jimenez's RBI groundout.

Fleet-footed Jordyn West had her double for Mundelein but was stranded.

Pribyl's leadoff double did lead to a run, and the Warren lead was down to a run at 2-1.

Jimenez picked up her second RBI of the day with an identical groundout to short to put Warren up 4-1 in the third.

Twelve Devils batted in the fourth inning as Warren had a doubles binge of its own.

Jimenez' third RBI came on a run-scoring two-bagger. Kayla Nommensen also ripped an RBI double.

The big inning started on the bottom of the Warren lineup, with three straight singles from Lydia Gratz, Emma Gratz and an RBI base hit from center fielder Ashlyn Kitter to start the inning. Hudgins earned 2 RBI in the big frame with a hit and a bases-loaded walk.

Mundelein (10-15, 7-4) fought back as Klatt's double opened the frame. Singles by Molly Podraza and Olivia Michalski brought in a pair of runs. The Mustangs had a 3-hit sixth inning and loaded the bases, but Britton retired the final two hitters and kept Mundelein off the scoreboard.

Billone credited relief pitcher Annie Morelli with slowing down the Warren attack in the last three innings.

West had a 3-hit day for Mundelein. Podraza had a pair of singles.

Britton had a pair of hits for Warren and a sacrifice fly. Kitter also had a pair of hits. Swedberg also had 2 hits and a walk.

With 3 games to go in the NSC race, Warren and Libertyville are tied for first with 10-1 marks.