Becker adds to career achievements with W. Aurora strikeout record

West Aurora senior Stephanie Becker added another very impressive accomplishment to her career full of them.

Becker broke the school's career strikeout record on Friday against Naperville North. The old record of 750 was set by Taylor Petersen.

As a freshman, Becker fanned 133 in 1112/3 innings, then exploded her sophomore year with 221 in 159 innings. Becker added 200 strikeouts last year in 1522/3 innings and heading into Monday's game had 185 through 103 innings this season.

Becker is going to Mississippi State next year.

Two aces: Gabby Moe has been outstanding this season leading the 14-5-1 St. Charles East softball team. But Saturday at their own invitational, the Saints showed how much depth they have in their rotation.

Katelyn Stengler won not one but two games, starting the day with a 3-0 shutout over St. Ignatius and ending it with the 2-1 victory against Hoffman Estates that gave the Saints the tournament title.

In-between, Stengler threw the final 2 innings in a tie against Rockford Harlem. The 2 wins improved her record to 3-3.

"I have two No. 1s," St. Charles East coach Kelly Barnett said. "Katie had thrown very well."

Barnett is just as impressed with Moe, who shut out Maine South over the final six innings Friday after allowing a 2-run homer in the first.

"She buckled down," Barnett said. "She's a competitor, she's a fighter."

Moe, a junior, has been around Saints teams that haven't had nearly as much success as this one.

"We're coming up from the bottom," Moe said. "Nobody thought of us as that big of a challenge. It's our own Cinderella story."