Stars sophomores seem super

If Monday's game was any indication, the future of St. Charles North's softball program appears to be in great shape.

It's not looking too shabby right now, either.

Starting an all-sophomore lineup, the North Stars (10-5) received a power pitching performance from Amanda Ciran and scratched across a fifth-inning run on a 2-out double from Loren Cihlar during their 1-0 nonconference triumph over host Geneva (8-10).

Ciran (2-4), who fired a 3-hitter, displayed pinpoint control without issuing a walk while striking out 12.

"It was a good day," said Ciran. "I just got a nice little pitching lesson yesterday to get my groove back."

After the Vikings' Dori Rogers was hit by a pitch with 1 out in the second inning, Ciran retired 16 consecutive batters before allowing 2-out, back-to-back singles to Rachel Hunter and Rogers in the bottom of the seventh.

However, Ciran silenced the Vikings' late threat on a slow roller that third baseman Taylor Russell scooped up and fired to first baseman Juliaclare Plezbert to end the game.

"Obviously, I was in the zone and it felt really good today," said Ciran. "And we had awesome defense."

"If she's on, it kind of makes it a lot easier for our defense," said North Stars coach April Stary. "We know that she's in control."

Locked in a pitchers' duel with Geneva's Kristyn Ruitenberg (4-6), Ciran fanned 9 of the first 14 hitters before the North Stars snapped the scoreless tie in the fifth.

After Annie Korth was retired on a nice running catch by Vikings center fielder Danielle Caprile for the second out, Emily Watts reached on an infield single and scored the game's only run moments later.

Watts scampered home after the left-handed hitting Cihlar sliced a line drive to left that eluded the Vikings' outfielders.

"Sometimes one (run) is all it takes," said Stary, "and in this case it was just a collision in the outfield on their part. But I'll take them however I can get them."

This time, it came from an all-sophomore lineup - a rare occurrence for any varsity team.

"It was entirely the Class of 2011 day today," said Stary. "That's what's coming in the next couple years. It was kind of fun."

Geneva, which swept 3 games (all shutouts) while capturing Saturday's Byron tournament title, left runners in scoring position on three occasions against the North Stars.

"I liked the fact that we went down fighting," said Vikings coach Greg Dierks. "We got a couple hits in the last inning to make it interesting.

But we could've protected the plate a little better with two strikes. We went down looking (6 times) a few too many times, I think."

The North Stars play host to cross-town rival and Upstate Eight Conference leader St. Charles East this afternoon.

"It's going to be a good one," said Ciran. "They've been playing very well. We just want to go out and do our best."