Libertyville catching fire early

As long as Libertyville continues to field like this -- catching sinking line drives, flawlessly executing rundowns and doubling up runners -- it doesn't matter who the Wildcats pitch.

Libertyville improved to 2-0 Thursday, edging visiting Grant 2-0 in a North Suburban Conference crossover.

The home team played errorless softball, after committing just 1 error in its season-opening win over Rolling Meadows exactly one week earlier.

"I think defense is going to be huge (this season)," said shortstop Ali Haws, who made a huge, diving grab. "We have really solid fielders, and our pitchers usually hit their spots."

For the second game in a row, Wildcats coach Mary Tiegs started junior left-hander Jenna Mosconi in the circle and then called on freshman righty Danielle Kaczmar to finish the game.

Mosconi tossed 5 innings, striking out seven and not walking a batter. She allowed 6 hits. Kaczmar gave up a single in 2 innings, earning the save.

Veteran lefty Kat Bernard, meanwhile, has yet to pitch after she missed practice time while on spring break.

"I think (Mosconi and Kaczmar) bring a little bit different style," Tiegs said. "They throw a couple of different pitches. It's just a different look."

Grant (0-1) out-hit Libertyville 7-2, but the Wildcats' defense helped Mosconi avoid some trouble.

In the top of the first, Grant's Amanda Villagomez singled with two out and raced to third on C.J. Hill's line-drive hit to center. Villagomez, however, overran third base, was caught in a rundown and eventually tagged out by catcher Katie Larson.

With Libertyville leading 1-0 thanks to an unearned run in the bottom of the first, Hill led off the Grant fourth by hitting another shot toward center. But Haws dived to her left and speared the ball before it hit the ground.

"She hit up the middle the time before so I was kind of cheating up the middle," Haws said.

The inning ended when Larson caught a popped-up bunt and doubled a runner off first base.

"I would have to say our defense is one of our strengths because it's a seasoned infield," Tiegs said. "The outfield's coming around, because some of my outfielders were on spring break too."

Libertyville added an insurance run off Grant starter Brie Brugioni in the sixth thanks to Haws' RBI single. Larson had scored the Wildcats' first run on a wild pitch, after leading off the inning with a single.

Megan Wood walked three times and stole a pair of bases for Libertyville.

Brugioni, a sophomore right-hander, struck out 11 and walked four in her 6 innings. She did not allow an earned run.

"She really impressed the heck out of me," Grant coach Mike Dolezal said. "She pitched a beautiful game. I just told the girls that that's a game you can really admire. She moved the ball around real well. C.J. called a good game (behind the plate), and I think they kept their hitters off-balance."

Brugioni and Courtney Joerns each had 2 hits for the Bulldogs.

Said Dolezal: "I thought, overall, for the first game, we did OK."