Success for Lightning, Alleycasts in season openers

Northern Illinois Lightning and Illinois Alleycats women's fastpitch softball teams opened the season Sunday, each going 2-0-1 in the Lightning round robin invitational played at Larkin High School.

The Lightning opened the day with an 11-1 win over the DOLLS Rebels, then beat the Elgin Heat 6-2 and tied the Illinois Alleycats 2-2 in a game called after six innings due to darkness.

The Alleycats beat the Elgin Heat 8-3 and the Dolls Rebels 6-0 before tying the Lightning.

Both teams play in the Oak Lawn Senior Tournament this weekend.

Lightning 11, DOLLS Rebels 1: The Lightning opened the season with a 4-run first inning and cruised to an easy win behind 14 hits and the pitching of Elissa Wisniewski and Kelli Whipple.

Jaci Corn was 3-for-4 with an RBI, Ashley Smith had 2 RBI, Suzanne Gersich a double and 2 RBI and Karisa Hansen was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles to lead the offense. Amy Gahl also contributed a home run in the win. The Lightning also stole 8 bases in the game.

Wisniewski (4 innings) and Whipple combined on a 3-hitter with Wisniewski earning the win.

Lightning 6, Elgin Heat 2: Smith was 2-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBI and Courtney LaFerle was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in this win.

Christine McGivney pitched 4 innings for the win and Whipple picked up the save.

Lightning 2, Alleycats 2: Darkness ended this game after six innings. The Lightning led 2-0 early but the Alleycats tied the game in the fifth. LaFerle (3-for-3) and Chaleen Rump (2-for-3) drove in runs for the Lightning and Gersich added 2 hits. Aimee Ewert and Wisniewski shared the pitching duties.

Marrisa Osness (run), Natalie Chase (2b) and Katie Williams (run) were offensive leaders for the Alleycats. Jackie Gill and Allison Benthusen shared time in the circle.

Alleycats 8, Elgin Heat 3: The Alleycats opened play with an 8-3 win over the Elgin Heat. Gill was inside the circle for the win allowing no runs in 3 innings of work. Benthusen earned the save.

Williams had a big game for the Alleycats recording 4 RBI. Shannon Powers (2 RBI), Chrissy Rosin (2 hits, 2 runs) and Chase (hit, RBI) contributed.

Alleycats 6, DOLLS Rebels 0:: Next the Alleycats faced the DOLLS Rebels earning a 6-0 victory behind pitchers Benthusen (4 IP, no runs, 4 strikeouts) and Erica Swan (2 IP, no runs, 2 strikeouts), who shared time in the circle.

At the plate, Powers (2 RBI), Rosin (2b, RBI), Brittany Holm (hit, run) and Kim Lofton (hit) each provided timely offense to lead the Alleycats.