Softball: Elgin falls to Crystal Lake Central

Elgin couldn't take advantage of some early scoring chances. Crystal Lake Central eventually did, and it led to a 12-0, five-inning Tigers' victory in nonconference softball action in Elgin Thursday.

Not all of the Tigers' 9 hits were line drives, but they found some holes, ran the bases well, and took advantage of some sloppy Elgin defense.

Central broke the game open by scoring 5 times on 5 hits - all singles - in the fourth inning. They added 4 more in the fifth to end it early on a chilly, overcast afternoon.

Nereida Rosas had 2 of the Maroons' 3 hits off Tiger pitcher Morgann Paaske.

A walk and an error gave Elgin runners on second and third with 1 out in the first, but Paaske fanned the final 2 batters to get out of it.

The second was even more frustrating for the Maroons (0-2). Rosas led off with a solid single, but was erased on a double play. After a double, Nayelli Sanchez hit one through the shortstop's legs, but the runner was called out for interference. Elgin never really threatened again.

"We're starting to make a little better contact," said Elgin coach Jenna Szabo. "The interference call was a tough one, but we hit the ball well that inning."

In the fourth the Tigers, already leading 3-0, broke through. Five straight singles began the inning, with Kayla Duda's line drive to short right scoring 2 runs.

Central added 4 more in the fifth, getting 3 more singles and taking advantage of 4 Elgin errors.

Duda and Clare Urbanski each had 2 hits for Crystal Lake Central (2-1).

The Tigers were playing their third game of the week.

"I think our hitters are starting to feel a little more comfortable seeing the ball out of the pitcher's hand," said Central coach Brian Strombom. "They found ways to fall and that's good. That means that they're getting contact and I like to see that."