Elgin's bats alive in sweep of Burlington
Ever since DeKalb freshman Katie Kowalski no-hit the Elgin softball team on March 21, the Maroons have been focused on hitting better.
If the focus stays like it was Wednesday and then again Thursday, there could be a lot to keep an eye on around Elgin High this spring.
The Maroons pounded out 28 hits and scored 26 runs Thursday, sweeping a nonconference doubleheader at Burlington Central, 13-0 and 13-1. Elgin has now scored 35 runs in its last three games.
“That was depressing,” said Elgin junior Hannah Perryman of the 5-0 loss to DeKalb. “We've been practicing really hard and we are really focused on what we have to do. It's been a team effort.”
Along with her freshman sister Jennah, Hannah Perryman did her part at the plate and in the circle Thursday. She fired a 3-hitter in Game 1 with 13 strikeouts and only 1 walk, and she hit a grand slam home run in Elgin's 5-run second inning.
The Maroons scored in every inning of the opener. Hannah Perryman had 2 hits, Anna Eckholm was 2-for-3 with a triple and 2 RBI, Kelly Bremer was 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, Jaclyn Navarro went 2-for-4 with a double and Jennifer Fulton was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
The onslaught continued in the second game as Elgin (5-0) struck for 10 runs in the first two innings. Bremer was 2-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBI, Jennah Perryman went 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI, Navarro was 3-for-4 with an RBI, Meagan Gallagher was 2-for-4 with an RBI, as was Alex Bell.
“We're swinging the bats,” said Elgin coach Chad Dahlman. “We've been focusing on hitting the ball the other way. We were too anxious against DeKalb. Now we're focused on staying back and hitting the ball back up the middle.”
Jennah Perryman allowed just 4 hits in winning the second game. She struck out three and walked one.
“I can't complain,” smiled Dahlman about his pitching sisters. “They're throwing strikes, they're not walking hitters and we've played well defensively.”
To Hannah Perryman, having her younger sister in a varsity uniform is like seeing a new bat under the tree on Christmas morning.
“I love having her on the team,” Hannah said. “She's awesome. It's nice to have some relief when you're tired. Jennah can come in and shut down any team.”
For the Rockets, it was another day of growing pains for a young team.
“We're not playing with any confidence right now but we're young and we'll get better,” said BC coach Cray Allen. “We need to get our juniors and seniors to lead by example. It's early but those are the kids the younger kids are looking up to.”
The Rockets played without three starters — Haley Albamonte (school function) and Tori Harvey and Brooke Gaylord (injured). But Allen was happy with the offensive play of sophomores Lauren King and Melanie Gajewski. King had a double in Game 1 and Gajewski was 2-for-2 with a double in Game 2.
“We talk about how to approach every at-bat and Gajewski and King had a great approach against two great pitchers today,” said Allen, whose team fell to 2-4 for the season.
Emily Orals also had 2 hits for BC in the second game.