Larkin comes back to stun S. Elgin in UEC
A day after suffering a disappointing loss to crosstown rival Elgin, the Larkin softball team came back Wednesday with one of its biggest wins in the last couple of seasons.
Sophomore Megan Johnson didn't issue a walk all day and classmate Corinne Wimmer went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored as the Royals upended South Elgin 7-6 on Elgin's west side.
The win keeps the Royals in the early hunt in the Upstate Eight Conference as they moved to 4-6 overall and 3-1 in the league.
"That's the best win we've had in a couple of years," said Larkin coach Larry Hight. "(South Elgin) has a bunch of sluggers but I thought if we could just keep them off the bases, not walk anybody and play good defense we could play with them. Megan had her drop working today and that was they key. It was a great win for us."
The teams combined for 25 hits but it came down to the top of the seventh. Down 7-5, South Elgin got to within a run when senior Kim Pierce (2-for-4, 2B) scored on a dropped third strike. But Johnson left the tying run at first base and held off the Storm rally.
Victoria Nino was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI for the Royals, taking advantage of 3 sacrifice bunts by freshman Lexi Smithberg. Larkin also got 2 hits and an RBI from Samantha King, while Johnson, Ashley Frey and Nikki Banks each drove in runs as well.
Lauren Vitiello had 2 hits and an RBI for South Elgin (5-6, 2-1), while Courtney Bosteder had 2 hits including a home run, and Layla Ismajal was 3-for-4. Rae Bosteder added a double and an RBI.
Vitiello suffered the loss for South Elgin in relief of Cary Thereon.
Softball
Jacobs 12, CL Central 2: Amber Livingston picked up the complete-game win as Jacobs (5-3) prevailed in this Fox Valley Conference crossover. Casey Bencal, Katie Kirker (2B) and Jenna Teson (2 hits, RBI) led the Golden Eagles at the plate.
Burlington Central 10, Genoa-Kingston 0: The Rockets (5-3) snapped a 2-game losing streak as senior Mackenzie Scott fired a five-inning no-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Lindsay Lange had 2 doubles and 2 RBI for BC while Abby Morrow added a double and an RBI. Kayla Oranger (2 SBs), Brittany Priest, Samantha Gruner and Lange scored 2 runs each for the Rockets.
Johnsburg 2, Cary-Grove 1: Lindsay Marshall was the tough-luck loser for the Trojans (5-5) in this FVC crossover loss. She allowed 6 hits and had 6 strikeouts with no walks. Alexis Haley was 2-for-3 with a double for Cary-Grove.
Bartlett 2, Waubonsie Valley 1: Rachel Anello and Lauren Chuchvard each had 2 hits to help the Hawks (6-3, 2-3) hold off Waubonsie Valley in the Upstate Eight Conference. Bartlett was down 1-0 but scored 2 runs in the sixth to take the win. Callie Dennison (5-2) struck out six and walked two to earn the win.
"It was a beautiful day and it was a good come-from-behind victory," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith, who takes his team to the Wendy's Classic in Ashland, Ohio this weekend. "Callie pitched a great game."
Hampshire 1, Richmond 0: Tegan Singleton fired a 1-hitter as Hampshire (3-4, 1-0) upended Richmond in the Big Northern East. Bri Doyle was 2-for-3 and Kristi Wood drove in the game's only run for the Whip-Purs. Singleton struck out seven and walked three.
Elgin 9, East Aurora 2: Hannah Perryman (3-5) allowed just 5 hits and Elgin (3-11, 2-2) took advantage of 8 errors by East Aurora in this Upstate Eight win.
St. Edward 4, ACC 1: Madeline Foehringer had 2 hits and drove in 3 runs to lead St. Edward (8-3, 1-0) to a Suburban Catholic Conference win. Megan Smith also drove in a run for the Green Wave, who got a 2-hitter from sophomore Sarah Field in the circle. She struck out eight and walked two. Stephanie Werner also had 2 hits for St. Edward.
Dundee-Crown 4, Grayslake North 1: The Chargers got back to .500 with this FVC crossover win. Alex Lococo, Melany Love and Emilie Kerkman drove in runs for Dundee-Crown (4-4) and Tiffany Rawlinson had a double. Kerkman was the winning pitcher, striking out 11 and walking one.