Bartlett's Dennison no-hits Elgin
For all the great things Callie Dennison has done in her Bartlett softball career, she had never thrown a no-hitter.
Until now.
Dennison struck out a career-high 14 batters Tuesday and didn't allow a single hit as she led the Hawks to an 8-0 Upstate Eight Conference win at Elgin.
"It's always been a goal but, honestly, at 43 feet I thought pitching a 2-hitter would be good," said Dennison. "I figured at 43 it's so much easier to put the ball in play. But my screwball was my best pitch today and I was hitting my spots really well. My brother (Thys) called a great game today."
The win, coupled with Lake Park's loss to St. Charles East, puts the Hawks (22-8, 15-3) in sole possession of second place in the UEC as they continue to prepare for next week's regional play.
"We're all very anxious for next Tuesday to come and I think it shows in our performance lately," said Dennison, who has now allowed just 1 earned run in her last 47 innings in the circle.
"She's been locked in and dialed in," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith of Dennison, now 18-5 on the season. "With the exception of the first inning against St. Charles East (Monday) I think she's been throwing the best softball of her career."
Katie Popovich (2B), Nicole Beck and Lisa Matsie each had doubles for the Hawks, who led just 2-0 before exploding for 6 runs in the top of the seventh inning. Lauren Chuchvara added a double.
Hannah Perryman (9-11) suffered the loss for the Maroons (10-24, 4-13). She struck out six, walked five and allowed 6 hits.
Waubonsie Valley 2, Larkin 1: Ashley Frey had 2 hits including a home run but the Royals (9-20, 6-11) came up just short in this Upstate Eight game. Megan Johnson (3-6) allowed just 3 hits and had 7 strikeouts with 1 walk but suffered the loss in the circle for Larkin.
South Elgin 9, Streamwood 6: Courtney Bosteder was 3-for-4 with a double and Kara Rodriguez hit her fifth home run of the season as the Storm (11-17, 6-10) won in the Upstate Eight. Xenia Cerda picked up the win and Sam Bolin registered the save for the Storm. Bri Bogdagewicz was 3-for-4 with a home run for the Sabres (7-23, 3-15). Amanda Patterson suffered the loss in the circle.
Burlington Central 11, Hampshire 1: Kelsey Johnson (2-3) tossed a 1-hitter as the Rockets (11-11, 6-3) secured second place in the Big Northern East. Ashley Scheffler was 3-for-4 with a double for Central, while Sam Gruner went 3-for-4 and Abby Morrow was 2-for-3 with a triple. Katelynn Bruscato, who had Hampshire's only hit, was also the losing pitcher for the Whip-Purs (7-22, 0-8).
Huntley 4, Jacobs 3: Huntley scored 3 runs in the top of the sixth and one in the seventh to upend Jacobs and take over second place in the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division. Winning pitcher Taylor Larson had a double and 2 RBI for the Red Raiders (19-10, 11-4), while Randi Peterson drove in 2 runs and Arianna Albanese and Amanda Wisniewski each added doubles. Larson (17-8) allowed just 5 hits, had 3 strikeouts and no walks. Kelsey Peterson drove in 2 runs for Jacobs (17-11, 10-5), Sara Jacobson was 2-for-4 and Ashley Morales had an RBI. Amber Livingston (6-6) was the losing pitcher.
Cary-Grove 10, Dundee-Crown 0: Lindsay Efflandt (21-3) tossed a 2-hitter as Cary-Grove (25-6, 14-1) rolled to an FVC Valley win. She struck out seven and didn't walk anyone as the Trojans are now within one win of tying the program record for wins in a season, a mark they can achieve at home today against Woodstock North. Emma Gaulke was 2-for-3 with 3 RBI in Tuesday's win, while Abbe Wienckowski drove in 2 runs, Efflandt had a double and Amy Palmateri was 2-for-3. Amanda Eissler suffered the loss for the Chargers (1-25, 0-15).