Wrap: Cougars clinch share of Prairie softball crown

Megan Kubacki's diving catch of Nora Kenney's slapped popup in foul territory muddied both the front of her Vernon Hills jersey and pin-stripped softball pants.

And as the third baseman sprang back on her feet, with the help of catcher Adriana Longobardi, the two teammates couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"My whole body was soaking wet," Kubacki said. "I just saw the ball in my glove and it was exciting."

The Cougars' exciting and fun brand of ball continued Friday at Lakes, as they once again fielded well, hit well, pitched well and ran the bases well in a 10-0 win that lasted six innings.

The win clinched a share of the North Suburban Prairie Division championship for Vernon Hills (21-3, 9-0), while stretching its winning streak to 15 games.

"Every game we all just come out ready to play," Kubacki said. "We're excited, we want to win, and we want to win conference. We take every game one game at a time."

"Every inning," second baseman Marci Pasquesi said, "it's 0-0."

Which helps explain Vernon Hills' defensive tenacity in the bottom of the fifth, after the Cougars scored twice in the top of the inning to extend their lead to 5-0.

Cougars righty Jackie Allen (13-1), who pitched a 5-hitter with 9 strikeouts and no walks, got three great plays from her defense.

First, Pasquesi dived to her right to knock down a ball headed into right field, bounced up and threw out Jeanna Dudley.

"I just tell myself not to think about it when there's a groundball," Pasquesi said. "If I think too much, then I'm not going to (make the play). I just go for it."

Lakes' Jazzy Rivera then laid down a seemingly perfect bunt. Longobardi pounced on the ball and whizzed a strike to first baseman Amanda Zusman for the second out.

Kubacki made it a 1-2-3 inning with her diving grab in front of Lakes' dugout fence.

"I didn't even realize the fence was right there until afterward when my glove was almost touching it," Kubacki said.

Vernon Hills put the game away in the sixth, scoring five runs. Alyssa Dougherty (2-for-4) hit a 2-run triple, and Longobardi and Allen contributed RBI singles.

Longobardi and Anastasia Guletsky (2 RBI) were each 3-for-4. Anna Christensen had an RBI triple and was driven in by her twin, Erin. Pasquesi and Kubacki also had base hits.

"They got some good hitters," Eagles coach Tia Martinez said. "They're well-coached, you can tell. They got a solid, solid team."

Lakes (11-11, 5-4) played without starting third baseman Hannah Karstedt (other commitment) and starting catcher Maddie Nelson (bruised wrist).

The loss was the Eagles' third straight this week.

"Very tough week," Martinez said.

Kenney, Maddie Riordan and Shannon Cooley (2-for-3) all doubled for Lakes, which visits Vernon Hills on Monday.

Baseball

Lake Zurich 18, Milwaukee Lutheran 3: The Bears played like pros.

Well, at least they played in a professional baseball stadium Friday and represented themselves quite well.

Lake Zurich pounded 17 hits at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Austin Schmeisser led the way offensively, going 3-for-3 with 2 RBI.

The Bears' other big hitters were Brock Simon (2-for-2, RBI); Joe DeBernardis (2-for-3, double, triple, 3 RBI); Corey Halicke (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 3 RBI); Dan Zummo (2-for-3, triple, 3 runs); Rick Erickson (2-for-2, double, 2 RBI); and Reid Bergstrom (triple).

Zummo and Ty Schmitz pitched a combined 6 innings of scoreless relief.

"The kids were fired up playing on a Major League field," Bears coach Gary Simon said. "They really hit the ball well. Our pitchers threw strikes and kept Milwaukee Lutheran off balance."

Softball

Wauconda 11, Marengo 8: Wauconda busted up a 7-7 tie with a 4-run sixth inning.

Rachel Hughes had a clutch 2-run double in the inning.

On the game, the Bulldogs rolled up a total of 14 hits.

Kate Martino led the way with a double and a home run.

Amanda Pausa (triple), Cara Nance, Katie Born and Kendra Wedl each had 2 hits for Wauconda, which moves to 13-8 overall.

Kayla Stos got the victory. She allowed just 2 hits and 1 walk.

Boys tennis

Lakes d. Wauconda: By sweeping Wauconda 5-0, Lakes won the North Suburban Prairie Division title.

Andrew Yopp led the way in No. 1 singles action with a decisive 6-1, 6-0 victory over Cameron Black.

The Eagles, who move to 15-2 overall, also got a big win out of No. 1 doubles pair Charlie Scupham and Justin Shea, who defeated Connor Dimick and Eric Christiansen 6-1, 6-1.

Vernon Hills d. Round Lake: In North Suburban Prairie Division action, Vernon Hills not only shut out Round Lake 5-0, but swept every match.

Jingyu Lee led the way in No. 1 singles action with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Corey Case.

In doubles action, Vernon Hills' No. 1 team of Riaz Hoveydai and Sam Rong got a 6-1, 6-1 win.

Girls lacrosse

Lake Zurich 13, Mather 2: Mary Handrahan scored 6 goals and had an assist to lead the Bears.

Karen Augustyn and Kate Lancelot each added 2 goals for the winners. Lancelot also had 2 assists.

Boys volleyball

New Trier d. Libertyville: Despite 12 kills from Chris Risley, Libertyville dropped the nonconference match 19-25, 25-23, 20-25.

The Wildcats (10-11) also got 8 kills from Tom Hannum and 7 from Jack Matthews.

Zach Sesterhenn tallied a team-high 26 digs for Libertyville while setters Matt Bernard and Nick Olson had 16 and 12 assists, respectively.

Conant d. Vernon Hills: Vernon Hills dropped to 16-11 with the defeat.

The Cougars got a team-high 8 kills from both Herman Lynn and Dave Siegel, while Ernie Choi chipped in with 5 kills.

Lynn also led the team with 4 blocks.

Meanwhile, Jeff Achler led the defense with 23 digs and setters Alex Brodsky and Sam Lee had 17 and 14 assists, respectively.