Lightning goes 3-2 at Oak Lawn; Alleycats net World Series berth

The Northern Illinois Lightning women's fastpitch softball team went 3-2 and finished in third place in the rain-shortened Oak Lawn Senior Tournament over the weekend.

The Lightning is now 5-2-1 on the season and hosts the Lightning Summer Bash this weekend at the Elgin Sports Complex. The 16U and 18U tournaments begin on Friday and the 16-team women's tournament on Saturday.

The Lightning women's team plays at 9:45 a.m. Saturday.

Opening play with a 5-1 win over the Illinois Inferno, Kelli Whipple was in the circle and allowed just 2 hits while striking out four. Hitting efforts were led by Amy Gahl (3-for-3, 2b), Courtney LaFerle (2 RBI), Nicole Guska (3b, RBI), Jaci Corn (RBI) and Suzanne Gersich (RBI).

In Game 2, the Chicago Attitude defeated the Lightning 2-0 with Christine McGivney taking the hard-luck loss in relief of Aimee Ewert, who struck out seven and gave up 2 hits without a walk in 4 innings.

The Lightning pounded out 7 hits and left 10 runners on base, six in scoring position. Guska led the offense, going 2-for-3.

Despite the loss the Lightning quickly bounced back with a 7-2 win over the Northern Illinois Thunder.

LaFerle (2-for-3, 2b, 3b, 3 RBI) enjoyed a productive day at the plate. Gahl (2-for-3, RBI), Gerisch (RBI) and Chaleen Rumpf (RBI) added plenty of pop to back a 6-inning, 1-hit showing by Elissa Wisniewski.

Sunday's play was cut short due to rain, but not before the Lightning picked up a 3-0 win over the Northlake Knockouts, followed by a 7-0 loss to the Beverly Bandits (18U Gold).

Whipple recorded tournament victory No. 2 over the Knockouts, striking out four giving up just 2 hits. Scoring 3 runs, Wisniewski (RBI), Corn (2-for-3, 2b) and Karisa Hansen (2-for-3, 2 RBI) led the offense. Wisniewski was tabbed with the tournament-closing loss, while Gahl recorded the Lightning's lone hit of the game.

Illinois Alleycats qualify for USSSA World Series: Competing in the Oak Lawn Tournament last weekend, the Illinois Alleycats qualified for the USSSA World Series by earning a second-place tournament finish after a 3-1-1 showing.

Despite opening play with a 9-0 loss to the Beverly Bandits 18U Gold Team, which went on to win the tournament title, the Alleycats bounced back for a strong finish.

Two bright spots in the opening loss were Shannon Powers, who finished with 2 hits, and Nikki Prokuski. She held the Bandits to just 2 runs in 3 innings of work.

Pool play continued as the Alleycats defeated the New Lenox Lightning 18U Gold, 6-5. The Alleycats jumped to a 6-1 lead after two innings and held on for the victory

A walk to Chrissy Rosin started a 4-run first inning. Powers followed with a triple, Katie Williams doubled and Kim Lofton singled. The Alleycats added 2 more runs in the second inning, when Allie Benthusan tripled and scored on a run-scoring single by Powers. Rosin walked and came around on a single from Marissa Osness.

Benthusan went the distance in the circle to earn the win.

Next, the Alleycats faced the Northlake Knockouts and took a 5-1 victory behind the arm of Jackie Gill, who allowed just 4 hits in the complete-game effort. Leading the way at the plate were Rosin (2 hits, 2 RBI), Williams (3 hits, RBI), Lofton (2 hits, RBI) and Natalie Chase (RBI).

The Alleycats kicked off bracket play by defeating the Illinois Inferno 3-2.

Benthusan returned to the circle for the victory. Tied at 2-2 after 4 innings, the Alleycats went ahead when Powers singled. At one point in the inning, Brittnay Holm swiped second, moved to third on a wild throw and scored on a wild pitch.

The victory pit the Alleycats against the Lenox Lightning a second time the rematch concluded in a 4-4 tie, shortened by rain.

Gill was inside the circle for 5 innings, including 4 scoreless. Contributing at the dish were Liz Yucuis (hit, run, RBI), Powers (hit, run), Sara Brandal (hit), Rosin (hit, 2 RBI), Williams (2b, run) and Osness (hit, RBI).

Elgin Heat 16U goes 4-0 at Heat Tournament: The Elgin Heat 16U girls fastpitch softball team had a big weekend, hosting the Elgin Heat NSA Qualifier Tournament at the Elgin Sports Complex.

Prior to a rain delay, the Heat had gone 4-0 and were well on their way to a Game 5 victory and perhaps a championship tournament title.

Opening against the East Peoria Express, the Heat earned win No. 1 via a 7-1 conclusion. Following that victory, the Heat posted a immediate win streak by beating the Chicago Cutburst, 12-4, the Aurora Raiders, 7-1, and the McHenry County Heatwave, 4-2, before the rain fell.

Both Gabby Moe and Kelly McCaffrey posted 2-0 finishes. Moe pitched 15 innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits while fanning four for a .467 ERA on the weekend. McCaffrey (11 hits, 6 runs, 9 strikeouts) earned her victory after 12 innings of work.

Scoring 34 runs in just four games, everybody contributed. Katelyn Stonecipher (2 triples, HR) and Samantha Chowanec (3b, 7 singles) led the way with 8 hits each. Stonecipher hit .571 with a .706 on base percentage while Chowanec hit .615 with a .769 slugging percentage. Ashley Scheffler hit .467 (7-for-15), including a triple.

Kelsey Lodge (6-for-12), Kelsey Maleski (6-for-13), Victoria Nino (6-for-14) and Cassie Warner (6-for-12, 2 triples) contributed at the dish.