Elgin Post 57 can't handle St. Charles

The Elgin Post 57 American Legion baseball team opened play at the Kane County tournament on July 18 with a devastating 14-0 loss to St. Charles Post 342 in five innings.

Justin Kalusa was the bright spot offensively collecting 2 of the team's 5 hits. Tyler Shore endured the loss allowing 10 runs (9 earned) on 8 hits.

The loss put Post 57 (22-11) in a win-two or go home scenario.

Facing St. Charles Post 342 once again, Post 57 took a 3-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning behind a 3-run third inning, but it couldn't hold on losing 5-2 in 10 innings.

Kalusa (5 IP, 3 runs, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts) got the start and had a no-hitter going until St. Charles punched out their first hit the fifth inning. Following a hit-batter, Post 342 delivered the big blow, a 3-run home run to tie things up.

Knotted at 3-3, David Hartwell kept things even in relief of Kalusa. It wasn't until the top of the 10th inning that St. Charles scored 2 unearned runs for the 5-3 win. Tom Roth took the mound for Post 57 in the top of the seventh, suffering the loss allowing 2 runs (unearned) in 4 innings.

Offensively, Kalusa (3-for-4, run, double) and Ryan Burke (3-for-5, 2 doubles, run, RBI) led Post 57 who outhit St. Charles 11-to-6.

Northern Illinois Lightning: The Northern Illinois Lightning 18-and-over fastpitch softball team went 2-3 at the Pekin Tri-State Open last weekend.

The Lightning's opening victory came via a forfeit over the Elite Force.

Competing inside the dome for Game 2, the Lightning offense was stifled by the Pekin Lettes enduring a 7-1 after being no-hit. Courtney LaFerle walked and scored the lone run on an error. Kelli Whipple was inside the circle for the loss.

Behind a solid effort in the circle from Elissa Wisniewski (4 hits, 5 strikeouts), the Lightning offense awoke as Suzanne Gersich (2 RBI), Amy Gahl (2 hits, RBI) and Whipple (2 hits, RBI) led the Lightning in a 4-1 win over CIGS Misfits.

Tournament action for the Lightning concluded with a pair of losses falling 8-3 to the Lady Rage, and later 7-6 to the St. Louis Saints in eight innings.

A Gersich home run and RBI from both Gahl and Ashley Smith wasn't quite enough to overcome the Rage. Gersich continued to pound the ball against the Saints leading the Lightning offense with 2 hits including a grand slam.

Gahl stayed hot by pushing out 3 hits, while LaFerle and Nicole Guska each contributed with RBI. Wisniewski took the tough loss in relief of Whipple.

The Lightning now sits at 24-12 overall and will finish the season at the USSSA World Series in Rockford beginning Friday.

Lightning tryouts: The Northern Illinois Lightning Fastpitch Softball Organization will hold tryouts for the 2008-2009 season in the weeks ahead. The Lightning's home facilities are at Judson University in Elgin, home to the Chicago Bandits Professional softball team.

Both 16U/18U players should bring a copy of their birth certificate. All players must bring their own equipment and water.

On Saturday, Aug. 2, tryouts will be held from 9-11 a.m. for 16U athletes, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for 18U players and from 1-3 p.m. for 18-and-over athletes at Judson University. Tryouts will again be held at Judson on Sunday, Aug. 3. 16U tryouts will run from noon until 2 p.m. followed by 18U from 2-4 p.m. Tryouts for the 18 and over players will run from 4-6 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, tryouts will move from Judson University to Larkin High School. Tryout times will remain the same with 16U going from 9-11 a.m., 18U from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the 18-and-over players from 1-3 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 10, 16U tryouts will run from noon until 2 p.m. with 18U tryouts from 2-4 p.m. and 18 and over from 4-6 p.m.

The Lightning is also seeking a 16U manager and coach for the new season.

For further information or directions, please contact John Radtke at radtke.john@sbcglobal.net or at (847) 812-1522, or log on to www.eteamz.com/nilightning.