Jacobs falls to Alleman, but goes 3-1 at Harlem

MACHESNEY PARK -- One bad inning, highlighted by a questionable two-out safe call at second base, ended Jacobs' 18 game winning streak here Saturday at the 29th annual Harlem Invitational softball tournament.

Locked in a scoreless tie with Class 3A power Rock Island Alleman in the top of the third inning, Jacobs freshman Kara Arceneaux induced Alleman cleanup hitter Brittnee Ayers to hit a grounder to Lauren Arceneaux at short. She flipped to Stephanie Schmidt at second for what would have been the third out of the inning, but the umpire ruled Schmidt juggled the ball and called Alleman's Shaina Fennesy safe. The Pioneers' next batter, Megan Noe, hit Kara Arcenaux's first pitch to center field, scoring 2 runs to break the deadlock.

Alleman (22-6), which is ranked No. 2 behind Burlington Central in the latest ICA Class 3A state poll, went on to plate 2 more runs in the inning on Kayla Appleman's single, and junior Amanda Lambrecht stymied the Golden Eagles on just 3 hits as Alleman came away with a 4-0 win.

The Golden Eagles (23-3), who beat Rockford Guilford 17-0 in their opening game of the day, downed Belvidere North and Deerfield by identical 4-3 scores after the Alleman loss.

"(Schmidt) didn't realize it was third out and she was pulling the ball out of her glove to throw to first," said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer, who argued the play with both umpires to no avail. "(The base umpire) said she juggled the ball, but she didn't juggle it. She was transferring it."

All 4 runs ended up being unearned, and although Kara Arceneaux lost her first game of the year, she's still only allowed 1 earned run all season. She struck out six and walked three while allowing 4 hits, all in the third inning.

The Golden Eagles had few scoring chances against Lambrecht, who used an effective riseball to strike out 13. She walked only one.

"She pitched a great game but we didn't manufacture any runs," said Bauer, whose team can clinch the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title outright with a win at home Tuesday against Dundee-Crown.

Jacobs' best chance to score came in the bottom of the seventh when Kara Arceneaux singled to right with one out and Jenna Tesson beat out an infield hit with two outs, moving Kara Arceneaux, who had stolen second, to third. But Lambrecht struck out Sara Jacobson to end the game.

"I'm glad this was a nonconference game," said Bauer. "Great competition like this will help prepare us for later in the season."

As did the games against Belvidere North and Deerfield. Marissa Lombardo (3-0) struck out five and walked one in gaining the win against Belvidere North. Lizzie Andrews' 3-run homer in a 4-run fourth inning was the big blow for the Eagles.

Jacobs then won its final game of the day in thrilling fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning. Schmidt (2-for-3) opened the inning with a bunt single and took second on a throwing error, then third on a sacrifice by Julie Escareno before scoring on an infield hit by Lauren Arceneaux (2-for-4, 2B). The Eagles had tied the game in the sixth on a home run by Kara Arceneaux, who also earned her 10th win of the season by allowing just 1 hit over 3 innings of relief.

"It was nice to bounce back and win those two close games," Bauer said. "They were good competitive games against good teams."

In their 17-0 win over Rockford Guilford, the Golden Eagles pounded out 18 hits. Jacobson led the way with a home run and a triple while Lauren Arceneaux was 2-for-3 with a double and 4 RBI. Also contributing were Megan Hough (2-for-3, RBI), Becky Wilson (3-for-3, 3 RBI), Kelsey Peterson (3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI), Schmidt (3-for-4), Tesson (2 RBI) and Sam Vojtsek (RBI). Wilson struck out six in the five-inning game to earn the win.

Cary-Grove drops two to Lake Zurich: A first inning home run from Lake Zurich would be difference in Game 1 of this nonconference doubleheader in which Cary-Grove (14-12) fell 1-0. The Trojans went on to lose 4-1 in their second contest.

Julie Clemment (4-6) was in the circle for the tough Game 1 loss allowing one earned run on 6 hits. Kristen Bauer (9-5) fell in Game 2. Maggie O'Brien led plate efforts in the opener going 3-for-3 with a stolen base, while Lindsay Fritz (2b, RBI) and Alexis Haley (hit, run) accounted for the bulk of the Game 2 offense.

Streamwood splits with Rolling Meadows: Behind its best hitting effort all season, Streamwood took the opener of this nonconference doubleheader 6-4 before dropping the back end 19-8. Offensively, Barb Posinger (3-for-3), Melissa Abraham (HR), Betsy Holman (2b), Beth McRill (hit), Adrienne Pisano (hit) and Brittany Jasker (hit) led the way in Game 1. Posinger (6-13) got the win allowing 10 hits while fanning four in the complete game effort.

In Game 2, Kelsey Johnson (2-5) entered the circle allowing 5 hits with 2 strikeouts. Pounding out 20 more hits, Pisano (3-for-4, 2b), Daniella Vida (2-for-4), Jessica LoRusso (2b), Abraham (3-for-4), Posinger (2 doubles), Arielle Gallione (hit) and Delaney O'Malley (hit) led the way for the Sabres.

Bartlett sweeps Schaumburg: Lauren Wydra (15-2) and Callie Dennison (8-1) combined to allow just 6 hits all day as Bartlett (23-5) swept Schaumburg by scores of 6-0 and 7-1 in nonconference play.

Wydra got the Game 1 victory allowing 2 hits while striking out 12. Dennison (2b, HR) led the Hawk offense. Inside the circle for Game 2, Dennison allowed 1 run on 4 hits while fanning four and led plate efforts with a double.

South Elgin splits at Fenton Tournament: South Elgin (16-9) competed in the Fenton Tournament where it opened play with a 12-0 win over Willowbrook before dropping Game 2 to Plainfield South 7-0.

Rebecca French got the early win allowing just 1 hit while striking out six in 3 innings of work. In relief, Cary Thereon allowed 2 hits in 4 innings. Kim Pierce led the Storm offense going 4-for-5 with 3 runs scored, a double, a home run and 5 RBI. Katelyn Stonecipher (3-for-4, 2b, 2 runs, RBI), Alyssa Kraus (2-for-3, run, 2 RBI) and Brittany Boelter (hit, 2 runs) contributed.

French returned to the circle for the Game 2 loss allowing 7 runs (3 earned) on 11 hits. Offensively, Stonecipher (2-for-2) and Lauren Vitiello (2-for-3) led the way.

Hampshire splits at Lisle Tournament: Despite opening play at the Lisle Tournament with a 6-0 loss to Rock Ridge, Hampshire (16-12) bounced back to defeat Momence 8-6 and finish third overall in tournament play.

Game 2 was all about the extra base hit. Megan Roadcap (2 doubles), Jordan Moore (2b), Paige Kent (3b) and Jessica Kraus (2b) each came up with timely smacks to keep the Whips on top. Ally Kent was in the circle for the win. Tegan Singleton endured the Game 1 loss.