Jozefowicz, Waubonsie surprise Wildcats

Asked the last time she faced Neuqua Valley in a game, Lindsey Jozefowicz paused, and replied "hmmm - that would be freshman year."

Waubonsie Valley's junior pitcher won't forget this one.

Jozefowicz struck out six in a 3-1 win over Neuqua Valley on Monday in Aurora, dealing the Wildcats a big blow to their Upstate Eight Conference title hopes.

Jozefowicz (5-8) missed all of last year with plica syndrome that caused painful popping and clicking in her elbow, and required surgery. She took a Jenna Marsalli line drive off the shin in the first inning Monday, but hung in there for perhaps her best start of the year.

"Today we wanted to give her the nod - Lauren (Thresh) pitched against them the last time and we wanted to give them a different look," Waubonsie Valley coach Kris Kalivas said. "I thought Lindsey did a phenomenal job."

The second straight conference loss dropped Neuqua (14-6, 10-4) two games back of St. Charles East and St. Charles North in the loss column and a game back of Lake Park. The Wildcats play both St. Charles schools later this week.

"We need to work on finishing conference 16-4," Neuqua coach Michelle Schmidt said, "and worry about the other teams beating up on each other. Losing today makes winning conference a little more difficult, but it's not 100 percent out of reach."

Neuqua drew first blood in the rivalry game in the top of the third, Marsalli doubling in Amanda Mener. But Waubonsie Valley, 1-hit by Neuqua's Colleen Hohman two weeks ago, came back with 2 runs in the bottom half.

Emily Baker drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a wild pitch and scored as Ally Seplak slapped a single to right. Seplak stole second and with two outs scored on Becky Horton's line-drive single to left.

"I just felt more confident this time - I've faced (Hohman) all my life in softball," Horton said.

Waubonsie Valley (9-16, 6-8) tacked on a third run in the bottom of the sixth. Horton singled, moved to second on a sacrifice and to third on a passed ball. She scored as a third strike went for a wild pitch.

Hohman (11-4), who struck out 16 in the teams' first meeting, fanned 6 batters on Monday with 4 walks.

"They came ready to play," Schmidt said of Waubonsie Valley. "I believe that in a lof of ways we have a target on our back and we need to step up to the reputation we're earning, and the way we're capable of playing. Right now we're not picking each other up."

Hohman doubled to lead off the sixth with Neuqua down 2-1, but the Wildcats stranded runners at second and third. Jozefowicz also worked out of a two-on, two-out jam in the seventh.

"Anytime we play each other, you can throw the records out the window," Kalivas said. "It's a battle of wills. Fortunately we were able to pull it off today."

Benet 4, St. Viator 0: Two days after no-hitting Marian Catholic, Meghan Eastman (16-3) fired a 2-hitter with 8 strikeouts as the Redwings (23-3, 14-0 East Suburban Catholic) won their 17th straight game. Claire Geyer went 3-for-4, drove in a run and scored a run.

Lisle 6, Plano 0: Bekka Houda (11-8) struck out 18 in 1-hitting the Reapers at Benedictine University. Melanie Early went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and Brianne Prindeville 2-for-3 for Lisle (18-10, 8-6 Interstate Eight).

Glenbard South 2, Geneva 0: Danielle Chitkowski (6-7) struck out eight, and the Raiders (12-12, 5-2 Western Sun) scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to remain tied for the conference lead with Batavia.

In the sixth Amanda Straka reached on a bunt single, moved to second on a Lauren Podgorski sacrifice and to third on a passed ball and scored on Brianna Meath's single to center. Meath stole second and scored on a Jenny Wittenberg single.

Glenbard North 2, WW South 0: Hannah Santora (13-3) struck out 10 and Laura Scott slugged her first homer of the season for the Panthers (16-5, 7-1 DuPage Valley). Jenny Blasius doubled in the third and scored on an Amanda Cygan single.

West Chicago 1, Naperville North 0: Mary Connolly (18-2) tossed a 4-hitter with 8 strikeouts for West Chicago (23-4, 8-2 DVC). Taylor Kutilek went 2-for-2 and scored a run. Sammy Marshall went 3-for-3 for Naperville North (12-12, 3-6).

Wheaton North 3, Naperville Central 2: Rachel Holaway drove in Paige Wilson with what turned out to be the game-winning run in the fourth inning for the Falcons (18-7, 6-3 DVC). Megan Silke homered for Naperville Central (19-6, 5-4).

West Aurora 2, Glenbard East 0: Stephanie Becker fired a 1-hitter to lead the Blackhawks past the Rams (7-17, 1-9 DVC).

Downers Grove South 6, Hinsdale South 0: Brooke Denby (7-2) twirled a 2-hitter for the Mustangs (17-4, 7-0 West Suburban Gold).

Willowbrook 14, Proviso East 0: Michelle Interrante threw a 2-hit shutout for the Warriors (4-21, 2-5 West Suburban Gold).

Glenbard West 10, Hinsdale Central 0: Jayme Hefler went 2-for-2 and stole 2 bases, Dayle Comerford 2-for-3 with an RBI and Jenna Ortega 2-for-3 with 2 RBI for the Hilltoppers (14-11, 6-2 West Suburban Silver).

Wheaton Academy 2, Somonauk 1: Paige Huizenga singled and scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh for the Warriors (11-12), who snapped Somonauk's six-game winning streak. Kim Olson (4-7) struck out nine for Wheaton Academy.

Timothy Christian 12-15, Luther South 0-4: Lauren Hansberger homered, drove in 5 runs and threw a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts in Game 1. She came back with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored in the second game.

Lane Tech 1, Fenton 0: Marissa Vazquez (5-14) struck out 11 for Fenton (5-18).