Jacobs 6, Cary-Grove 0
Prior to every softball game, Jacobs sets goals for itself.
Friday afternoon against Cary-Grove, the Golden Eagles wanted to score first and limit the Trojans' bats.
Pitcher Kara Arceneaux allowed just 3 hits and Jacobs took a 1-0 lead by its fourth batter, as the Golden eagles cruised to a 6-0 Fox Valley Conference Valley division victory in Cary.
"Our defense helped that," Arceneaux said of the team's goals. "They could hit some hard shots, but our defense robbed them."
Areceneaux could have been talking about center fielder Jen Wirth's sure-fire RBI single to deep right, that wound up in Jenna Teson's glove.
Or any number of hard shots that shortstop Lauren Arceneaux turned into outs. Kara Arceneaux (6-0) did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and Jacobs (13-2, 5-0) never allowed more than 1 baserunner in an inning. She also struck out 6 batters in the victory.
"Kara pitched a good game," Jacobs' coach Jeremy Bauer said. "She limited them offensively. Everything starts with our offense. Once we generate offense and gain the pitcher some confidence, they can loosen up."
Lizzie Andrews provided plenty of early confidence for the Golden Eagles. Andrews' RBI double scored Lauren Arceneaux in the first inning and her RBI single scored her again in the third.
Jacobs finished with 3 extra base hits in the third, with Lauren Arceneaux's triple and RBI doubles from Kara Arceneaux and Sara Jacobson to extend the Golden Eagles' lead to 5-0.
Cary-Grove (11-5, 3-3) gave up 13 hits in the game, including 5 extra base shots.
Andrews (3-for-4, 2 RBI), Kara Arceneaux (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Julie Escareno (3-for-4, double) and Lauren Arceneaux (2-for-3, triple, 3 runs) led the offensive attack.
Kara Arceneaux added the final run when she scored her sister, who singled to get on base, in the 4fourth inning.
"They did a nice job of capitalizing with the people they had on base," Trojans' coach Tammy Olson said. "They're good baserunners and are aggressive, so you have to play defense and stop them."
Julie Clemment (3-2) picked up the loss for the Trojans, going 2½ innings giving up 5 earned runs off of 8 hits. Kristen Bauer, who was the first Trojan to record a hit, took over the rest of the game. Bauer allowed just 1 run off of 5 hits and left 4 runners stranded.
"Everyone did something to contribute," Kara Arceneaux said of her team's defensive effort. "Everyone is playing solid defense."
Lake Park 7, Elgin 0: A no-hitter from Lake Park's Missy Mazur had Elgin (1-11, 1-6) stumped as they dropped this Upstate Eight Conference contest. Kelly Patchett endured the loss allowoing 5 runs on 7 hits in three innings of work.
"We played well defensively in the first three innings," said Elgin coach Peg Corcoran. "We're taking strides in the right direction."
Huntley 4, Grayslake North 3: Trailing 3-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Huntley (10-7, 5-1) plated two runs to get this Fox Valley Conference Fox Division come-from-behind win. Jenna Mychko (3-for-4, run, RBI) got the game-winner with a single down the third baseline that brought home two. Sarah Clancy (2-for-4, run, RBI) and Kelsey Hagan (2b) each added timely hitting.
Samantha Clemons (10-4) entered the circle for the win allowing one earned run on 4 hits while striking out five in a complete game effort.
CL South 3, Woodstock 2: Knocking in 3 runs, Michelle Bump carried Crystal Lake South (10-6, 3-3) to this Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win. Samantha Hardie (2-for-3) contributed.
Allowing just 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits in 7 innings of work, Emily Mahoney recorded the victory.
Prairie Ridge 7, CL Central 4: Down 4-2 after three innings, Prairie Ridge (11-5, 5-1) put together some solid offense to pull ahead and walk away with this Fox Valley Conference Fox Division win. Helping the runs across were Anna Patras (3-for-4), Lauren Seegers (hit, 2 RBI), Kari Rankin (hit) and Danielle Samuels (1-for-2).
Erika Tojan (6-2) got the win striking out four, and giving up just two hits in 4 innings pitched.