Softball: Viator cruises; Peterson's slam ignites Barrington
St. Viator's softball team proved it could win indoors when it won a pair of games last weekend at the Louisville Sluggers Sports Complex in Peoria.
The Lions showed on Tuesday they aren't bad outdoors, either.
Four-year varsity pitcher Grace Kaiser hurled a 3-hitter and also collected 2 RBI as host St. Viator topped Prospect 14-2 by the five-inning rule in Arlington Heights.
The Lions improved to 3-1 while it was the season-opener for the visiting Knights and first-year coach Krystina Leazer.
"We just have a lot of positivity and good unity," said Kaiser, a senior who raised her record to 2-1 while striking out six with 1 walk. "We are really excited about this season. My screwball was working this game. Addy (Swiderski, Lions senior catcher headed to Oakland University in Michigan) always calls a good game. She really knows the game."
The Lions' batters showed they know the strike zone, collecting 13 walks.
"It was good to see our girls show patience at the plate," said Viator coach John Scotillo. "We took advantage of the walks and we played nice defense (no errors)."
Junior Haley Robinson (bunt single) was the recipient of 3 walks while senior Jenna Breslin drew two bases on balls.
"It's been an amazing start to the season." said Breslin, a three-year varsity player. "I just think we have a lot of experience. A lot of us have been on the varsity a lot of years and everyone has a passion for the game. Everyone wants to be out here."
Senior Cam VanValkenburg showed she wanted to be in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI. Swiderski was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI while freshman Morgan Bielfeldt collected her first varsity hit, an RBI single in the third inning.
Prospect's 3 hits were by starting pitcher Madeline Borkowski, Lauren Caldrone and Colleen Palczynski.
"Obviously, this was our first game," said Leazer, a former Carthage College standout pitcher from Elk Grove High School. "The girls have nothing to hang their heads about. We have a lot of things to improve on but there were some positives. We brought in a freshman pitcher (Claire Doherty who went the final 2⅔ innings), so it was good for her to face some live batting. It was good to get a game in before spring break."
Barrington 13, Lake Zurich 0 (5 inn.): The wind was blowing in the first inning at the Fields of Dreams, but sophomore Kendall Peterson wasn't going to be denied.
"It felt like a dream," said Peterson, who belted a grand slam and the Fillies never looked back in winning their semifinal of the Spring Fling.
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Peterson walloped the first pitch she saw for her first career home run.
The blast over the left field fence drove home Rachel Krzysko, Caroline Hoppe (pinch running for Abbey Jacobsen, who'd singled) and Leyden Atlas for the 4-0 lead which was plenty for pitchers Catherine McMahon (3-0) and Tori Meyer.
"I was just trying to hit it as hard as I could," said Peterson, who was 1-for-2 with a walk and 4 RBI. "I was trying to drive it up the middle. I made good contact. It felt good."
Other top hitters for the Fillies (3-0) were Julia Kozar (2-for-2, 2 runs) and Jacobsen (2-for-4, 2 RBI, double).
McMahon, a junior right-hander, went three innings, striking out two and allowing 1 hit while sophomore Meyer worked the final two innings. She struck out one and gave up 2 hits.
The Fillies are scheduled to face Warren for the championship on Wednesday.
Warren defeated Deerfield 16-4 in five innings. In other games, Hersey (1-1) topped Zion-Benton 9-1 and Glenbrook North posted a 4-0 triumph over Maine West (0-2).
Fremd 10, Vernon Hills 9: Senior second baseman Becca Uhrich's walk-off single drove home junior Anna Freveletti to cap a 3-run rally in the bottom of the seventh as Fremd improved to 2-0 with the win at Heritage Park in Wheeling.
Uhrich also homered in the contest and went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs.
Other multiple hitters for the Vikings were Anne Marie O'Sullivan (2-for-3, 2 runs, double), Jess Mazur (2-for-4, RBI, double, 1 run) and Grace Stevens (2-for-4).
Lexi D'Ambrosio also doubled for the Vikings.
Mazur (1-0) earned the win, striking out five in seven innings.
Rolling Meadows 7, Taft 5: Sophomore Caroline Slowik went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI as Meadows won its season opener over visiting Taft.
Senior Lydia Schultz earned the win, striking out seven and giving up 1 earned run.
Other top hitters for Meadows were Mallory King (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Elizabeth Elkins (1-for-3, 2 RBI, double). Amanda Elkins, Paige Connor, Schultz and sophomore Stephanie Thompson (a triple which was her first varsity hit) also had hits for Meadows.