Softball: Geneva's Dierks reaches 500 wins in unusual fashion
Greg Dierks' 500th win was unlike any of the 499 that came before for Geneva's softball coach.
Poised to reach the 500 milestone on Thursday against East Aurora and with family, former players and parents and fellow Geneva teachers on hand for the occasion, the Vikings ended up with a forfeit victory when East Aurora didn't show.
"I don't know what to say, it was certainly a weird way to have this happen," Dierks said. "I certainly would have liked to been out on the field and had something a little more official happen. But can't always pick and choose those things."
Dierks became the Geneva varsity coach in 1990. He coached the Vikings underclass teams from 1986-1988.
Asked if he thought he would ever reach 500 wins, Dierks had a quick reply.
"No," Dierks said. "For one thing I didn't know for sure I would be doing it this long. I had interest in it but it was all brand new."
This year's Vikings are 15-3 and 8-1 in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division trying to repeat last year's first conference championship. They have a key game Friday against St. Charles East.
Whether or not Dierks gets win No. 501 against the Saints, he's grateful for all the fun times over the past 28 years.
"More than anything I'd say it speaks more to how much I enjoy it than anything else," Dierks said. "I just have so much fun doing it.
"Beyond that so much of it goes to the kids who play. We have had wonderful players and added to the enjoyment of it. In more recent years we've been winning at a more rapid pace which certainly makes an added element of fun but I enjoyed it right from the beginning. I had a great time every year."
South Elgin 11, West Chicago 2: The Storm (8-7, 7-2) maintained their Upstate Eight Valley lead behind a big day from Casey Brennan (2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI). Julianna Battaglia also homered, and Geneva Pollman, McKenna Eichholz and Alivia Doyle joined Brennan and Battaglia with 2 hits.
Sidney Strama pitched all 7 innings, scattering 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3.
Burlington Central 13, Woodstock 1: Julia Barnes allowed just 1 hit and an unearned run in 5 innings for the Rockets (9-4, 4-1). Maissie Rabe homered and drove in 6 runs, Reili Gardner went 4-for-4 with 2 RBI, and Barnes and Abby Sanders also had 2 hits.
Cary-Grove 17, Prairie Ridge 5: The Trojans (10-4, 3-3) snapped a 2-game losing streak in the Fox Valley Conference with a 20-hit day. Lindsey Norberg and Frankie Cruz both homered. Norberg led Cary-Grove with 4 hits, and Cruz and Jill Deering both had 3 hits. Deering and Norberg both had 4 RBI.
Huntley 8, Crystal Lake Central 2: Tiffany Giese improved to 12-1 for the FVC-leading Red Raiders (14-3, 8-0) who got a grand slam from Autumn Kasal. Giese and Grace Kutz both had 3 hits.
Crystal Lake South 9, McHenry 2: The Gators (11-3, 4-2) picked up a FVC victory with solid pitching from Lauren Schoen (complete game, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 ER) and 3-hit days by both Brooke Kuffel and Emily Sulikowski. Sulikowski led the Gators with 4 RBI and Christina Toniolo plated 2.
St. Edward 12, Walther Christian 5: Chloe Davies earned the win, striking out 10. Lindsey Mauritzen went 4-for-4 with 3 RBI, Jessy Kramp was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, Annalise Avila was 3-for-3 with 2 runs, Sarah Mendoza went 2-for-3 with 3 runs and Davies was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.
Rosary 16, Westmont 1: Mikayla Cassidy hit a home run and drove in 5 runs for the Royals (4-3-1) who capitalized on 6 errors and 7 walks. Chloe Saltijeral and Brooke Cappararelli both drove in 2 runs.
Riverside-Brookfield 1, Aurora Central Catholic 0: Dani Brown pitched another gem in a losing effort for the Chargers (11-8) allowing 2 hits, 3 walks and no earned runs while striking out nine.
Sterling 5, Kaneland 1: Lexi Abruzzo and Hailey Roach each collected two hits to lead the Knights (11-5, 5-1).