Crystal Lake South catches up to Hampshire

It took some time for the young Crystal Lake South softball team to get used to the movement on Hampshire’s Jennifer Hurst’s pitches.

The Gators’ third and fourth time through the order produced 6 runs as CL South defeated Hampshire, 7-1, in Fox Valley Conference crossover play in Crystal Lake Monday.

“We have a young team and it was their first experience with a good movement pitcher,” South senior Kim Golf said. “We ended up catching up to her.”

The game was tied 1-1 with one out in the bottom of the fifth when Sam McLean headed to the plate for the third time. McLean reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Kim McElman beat out a bunt and a throwing error allowed McLean to score. Golf followed with her second double of the game to drive in McElman. Liz Adams’ double to center brought home Golf. Adams then scored on Jenica Terry’s single to right for a 5-1 lead.

“It was a nice ballgame for four innings,” Whip-Purs coach Ken Bram said. “Jen had great stuff. Her location was fantastic. She threw them off.”

In the sixth, the Gators (5-0) got back-to-back singles from Hannah Mahoney and Kimberly Woods to lead off the inning. McLean had another infield hit to load the bases. McElman singled home two runs for a 7-1 lead.

The Whip-Purs (5-4) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth as Rebecca Hurst doubled off the left-center field wall to drive home Jennifer Hurst. CL South tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as Lauren Gauger drove in Adams, who reached on an error, with an infield single.

The Gators’ bats gave Golf (2-0) the lead in the fifth and the senior took care of the rest. Golf pitched a complete-game 3-hitter, with all the hits coming in the fourth. She struck out 12 and walked just 1.

“She’s everything I expect her to be,” Gators coach Scott Busam said. “She’s a senior. She’s smart. She’s tough. She knows when she can challenge a hitter. She knows when she needs to scale back.”

Jennifer Hurst (5-2) struck out 7, all in the first four innings, but suffered the loss.