Flexible Grayslake N. outscores Grayslake C.

A team of softball players hustled and executed perfectly.

And then after Grayslake Central’s girls pulled together to pull the heavy tarp from its infield, Grayslake North executed some perfect teamwork of its own.

All nine hitters in Grayslake North’s batting order had at least one hit, as the Knights played both small ball and long ball in a 10-6 win over host Grayslake Central on a soggy Thursday.

“I have so much confidence in all of my hitters,” Grayslake North coach Molly Jones said. “What’s nice is, no matter what part of the order is coming up to bat, they find a way to get on, whether it’s short game, bunting ... and obviously we have some power hitters.”

Kristina Gandy is a power hitter, obviously.

The senior had her second 2-homer game in six days and pounded out 4 of the Knights’ 18 hits in the Fox Valley Conference game. Kelsey Borders belted a 3-run homer, and both she and winning pitcher Nikki Livengood collected 3 hits.

“Everyone,” Gandy said, “is an amazing hitter.”

That the two crosstown rivals got in all seven innings was special too. Rain caused a 20-minute delay, but thanks to the tarp keeping the infield dry, some light rain that fell during the game wasn’t an issue.

Grayslake Central has had its “splashy” tarp since last season.

“We don’t use it that often,” Rams coach Abbey Tadelman said.

But when the Rams need the tarp, the players know how to quickly roll it out and then get it off the field with little, if any, hassle.

“It’s pretty impressive, right?” Tadelman said with a laugh. “We take a lot of pride in our field here.”

Grayslake North (10-6-1, 4-0) kicked up its share of dirt on the field, scoring 6 runs in the second inning to take control of the game. Jordyn Bowen (2-for-5) started the second-inning scoring with an RBI double and one out later, Borders’ bomb to left field (her fourth homer) made it 4-1. Gandy then singled, Livengood doubled, and Jessica Davis hit a long 2-run single, which just missed clearing the fence.

Grayslake Central (8-10, 3-3) didn’t sulk, however, despite coming to bat in its half of the second trailing 6-1. Sarah Kuligowski rippled an RBI single and, in the third, Caitlin Flary homered to center with two out.

It was the first varsity home run for the junior, who played on varsity last season.

“I actually didn’t even feel it,” Flary said. “Then as soon as I saw it go over, a big rush of adrenaline came over me. It got me pumped for the rest of the game, too. It was a good feeling.”

Gandy’s line-drive homer leading off the fourth hiked Grayslake North’s lead to 8-3. But Grayslake Central answered with 3 runs in the bottom half, getting an RBI single from Jamie Brew and a 2-run single from Brittany Brown. Brown, who Tadelman said has been playing great at third base, had an RBI single in the first to give Grayslake Central a 1-0 lead.

“We were all in (the dugout) pumped, and we were all talking (throughout the game),” Flary. “It was good.”

Gandy finally was able to subdue the Rams, pitching 3 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts in relief to earn the save. Cally Hayes’ infield single — her second hit — was the Rams’ only hit off Gandy.

“We kept chipping away,” Tadelman said. “We just couldn’t finish the deal. But we’re playing really competitive ball this season.”

Gandy hit a 2-run homer — her seventh of the season — in the fifth. She batted again in the seventh, with a chance to hit her third homer in as many at-bats. She singled sharply.

No,” Gandy said when asked if she was thinking about a possible third homer. “I don’t focus on it.”

Grayslake North also got 2 hits from Mariah Gentile and one apiece from Brooke Tracy, Davis, Marli Kram and Megan Mertins.

The Knights turned 2 double plays, too — both on lineouts. Slick-fielding shortstop Bowen trigged the first and Gandy speared Brew’s smash to start the second. Bowen’s diving catch of Flary’s sinker liner ended the game.

“My infield in general is really strong,” Jones said. “But my left side, Jordyn (at shortstop) and Kelsey Borders at third, they’re contending to be the best defense in the conference.”