Kakareka, Schaumburg construct upset of Elk Grove
On Monday, Rene Kakareka fired the first no-hitter of her career against Hoffman Estates.
Leave it to the Schaumburg senior to build upon that strong performance.
After all, she plans to study architecture at Philadelphia University where she will also play softball.
Kakareka returned to the mound Friday and fired a 2-hitter with 6 strikeouts as the visiting Saxons stunned Mid-Suburban East leader Elk Grove 3-0 in the crossover contest.
“That (previous) no-hitter gave me confidence and got me fired up,” said Kakareka, who got her record even at 4-4.
Going sleeveless on a day more suited for a football game, Kakareka retired the first eight batters before senior Megan Keegan’s bloop single to center.
“It just makes my arms feel more loose,” said Kakareka about her sleeveless attire. “Winning this game feels wonderful. We knew our team was good enough to win and with that confidence we went out and did it.”
The Saxons (11-10, 4-5) did it with all 3 runs in the top of the sixth.
After Grens first baseman Becca Walz made a nice sliding catch of a pop foul near the Saxons’ dugout for the first out, juniors Dana Giannelli and Hannah Kerr hit back-to-back singles to right.
A walk to Siena-bound first baseman Alyssa Lancaster loaded the bases before an infield error on freshman Shannon Felde’s ground ball brought home 2 runs.
Roosevelt-bound Courtney Raschk drew a walk to load the bases. Sarah May fell behind 0-2 but battled back to draw a walk for a 3-0 lead.
“We have been working real hard at practice on being disciplined and confident at the plate,” said Saxons coach Ellen Stoddard. “We came out and everything was working together.
“Honestly, as a team, this was the best I’ve seen us play together.”
Grens ace Dani Goranson (12-4) struck out four of the final five batters she faced and had 10 strikeouts while tossing a 5-hitter.
The Grens’ best chance came in the third inning. It was the only time they had multiple runners on base.
Pinch runners Danielle Boffice and Marjorie Sloan were running for Keegan (single) and Goranson (walk) after two were out. But Kakareka got a popout to shortstop Felde to end the inning.
“I thought for the most part we made good contact,” said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams, whose team (16-4, 7-2) holds a three-game-lead over Rolling Meadows (4-5) in the MSL East. “We didn’t have a lot of hits to show for it. But that happens sometimes.”
The Grens had won seven straight games by 10 or more until Kakareka’s third shutout of the season.
Kakareka has not allowed a run in 14 innings.
“Rene has been pitching phenomenal,” Stoddard said.
The Saxons received their 5 hits from five different players, including a two-out triple by Kakareka to left field in the fifth inning.
Saxons senior catcher Courtney Plackner led off the game with a single to center while Felde also had a base hit to right-center to lead off the second.
Elk Grove got its leadoff batter on in the bottom of the seventh when Walz singled to left.
But second baseman Aubrey Lopshire caught a liner and threw to Lancaster for the double play and Kakareka got a groundout to Lopshire to end the game.