Softball: Koshy connects as Grayslake Central prevails
Sophomore Elisa Koshy's solo homer with one out in the top of the sixth inning snapped a 2-2 tie, rallying Grayslake Central's softball team to a 3-2 win over Grant in a Northern Lake County Conference opener Tuesday.
Koshy also doubled, finishing 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored.
Grant (6-1) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Erin Bengston's RBI double, before Grayslake Central (4-2) evened the score in the second. After Grant went back in front in the fourth, the Rams pulled even again in the fifth. Junior Bre Albert (2-for-3, 1 RBI) led off the inning with a single. Junior Lexi Waigand bunted pinch runner Nicole Buerger to second. After sophomore Bridget Marshall (2 HBP) reached first by getting hit by a pitch, junior Nicole Warren (2-for-3) bunted the runners to second and third. With two out, junior Morgan Smigielski hit a single on a 0-1 count to score Buerger, tying the score at 2-2.
Grayslake Central senior Reagen Radke earned the win to improve to 4-2. She went 7 innings, surrendering 5, striking out 10 and walking one.
Smigielski, Warren and Koshy each collected multiple hits for the Rams.
Elizabeth Schram and Bengston each collected multiple hits for Grant.
Lake Zurich 17, Zion-Benton 3: Jessica Puccinelli went 4-for-5 with 2 homer and 6 RBI, as the Bears won big in their North Suburban opener.
Sarah Schnecker also went 4-for-5, homering and driving in 4 runs for Lake Zurich (4-4). Megan Croke was 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored and an RBI, while Abby Jokerst (2 runs) and Taylor Zelich (3 RBI) each had a pair of hits.
Winning-pitcher Stephanie Keefe pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out seven.
Warren 14, Lake Forest 1: Caitlyn Britton homered, doubled, singled twice and knocked in 3 runs, as the Blue Devils cruised in their North Suburban opener.
Claire Swedberg was 3-for-4 with 2 triples and 2 RBI for Warren. The Blue Devils' other offensive contributors included Emily Hudgins (2-for-3, 2 triples, 3 RBI), Kayla Nommensen (2-for-4, double), Emma Gratz (2-for-3, double), Ashlyn Kitter (2-for-3, double), Devon Plata (double) and Erika Jimenez (double).