Rams struggle vs. top-ranked team
The one thing, above all, that Erica Maisto has been for the Burlington Central softball program the past four years is exactly what the two girls who pitched for the Rockets before her were.
A team player.
Over Friday and Saturday, Maisto surpassed Jill Henson's career win total of 69 and then tied Heather Wendt's school record of 70, but the BC senior was quick Saturday to deflect the credit as she stands 1 win from becoming the school's all-time wins leader.
"It's a major accomplishment to win 70 games, but if I didn't have the teammates I've had the past four years this never would have happened, so I have to say thank you to them," said Maisto after she 2-hit Glenbard East in the Rockets' 13-0 win in Game 2 of a nonconference doubleheader.
"I really didn't think about it until afterward. I just went out there and did my thing."
The 70 wins ranks 43rd in reported IHSA history. Saturday's shutout was the seventh of the season and 42nd of Maisto's career, which ranks 29th in state history. She improved to 10-0 this season.
"There's nobody more deserving," BC coach Scot Sutherland said of Maisto. "Erica is pitching solid. She's getting the corners and that's what makes her so good."
The Rockets, ranked No. 1 in the Daily Herald Top 20 as well as in the ICA Class 3A state poll, extended their winning streak to 11 with Saturday's sweep. They won a competitive first game 4-2.
"We got the experience of playing the top-ranked team," said Glenbard East coach Valerie Pinzker. "We still have eight conference games to play, so this experience was good for us. The second game was hard to watch, but the first game was competitive."
In Game 1 BC (19-1) took a 2-0 lead in the third inning as Ashley Scheffler doubled in a run. Glenbard East (7-13-2) closed the gap with a run in the top of the fourth, but BC answered with 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the inning off losing pitcher Abby Petersdorf.
Junior Mackenzie Scott (9-1) allowed just 3 hits and had 13 strikeouts with 3 walks to earn the win. Senior Brooke Porto had 2 hits for the Rockets, while Alyssa Gianatasio had a triple and Paige Gerstner added 2 hits for Glenbard East.
"It was good to have some pressure on us defensively," Sutherland said. "Other than a stolen base we fell asleep on we responded well and Mac threw well. She pitched a very good game again."
In Game 2 the Rockets took advantage of Glenbard East's inexperience in the circle as Rams freshman Megan Shannon struggled with her control, walking 12 in the five-inning game.
Maisto was 2-for-2 with 2 RBI for Burlington, while Sam Gruner had 2 RBI and Kayla Oranger, Lindsay Lange and Abby Morrow each picked up single RBI. The Rockets put the game away with a 10-run third inning.
Maisto struck out five and didn't walk anyone and will likely get her first shot at the school wins record at home on Tuesday in a Big Northern East game against Harvard.