Softball: New approach working wonders at Crystal Lake South

Among the numerous rainouts this week was the rematch between Crystal Lake South and defending Fox Valley Conference champion Huntley.

The Gators came from behind to beat Huntley 4-3 in the first meeting, and they have since built their lead to two games over the Red Raiders following Huntley's 1-0 loss to McHenry in 9 innings Wednesday.

Huntley sophomore Brianna Bower did all she could in the loss, striking out 15 and walking none. She only gave up 3 hits and the run she allowed was unearned.

Bower entered that game with a 1.93 ERA, 167 strikeouts, 60 hits and 16 walks in 97 innings.

Despite her dominance, the Red Raiders sit at 6-3 in conference to the Gators' 8-1. They will get a second chance against Crystal Lake South on May 14 but will need to make a game up in the standings before that to have a chance to catch the Gators in the standings.

Crystal Lake South is 20-1 overall with a powerful lineup led by senior third baseman Emily Sulikowski. Through their first 20 games, she is hitting .471 with 8 home runs and 39 RBI.

"Emily has become the most prolific hitter in Crystal Lake South history," Gators coach Scott Busam said. "By season's end, she'll hold almost every significant school record for offensive stats. She's a wonderfully humble person, and arguably the kindest, most sincere player I've coached in my 18 years."

Busam also praised Sulikowski's defense at third base. Another senior, Maddie Bush, is a standout defensively at second base.

"I can't even imagine how many hits she's robbed so far, or how many runs she's saved by making spectacular, diving backhanded catches," Busam said. "She's already turned more double plays this season than we had all of last season. Maddie Bush is a circus catch, highlight play waiting to happen. She is a spectacular, must-see defensive player."

At the plate Bush is hitting .508 with 26 RBI. Busam likes to call her Javy Baez for her ability to stretch singles into doubles with aggressive baserunning and elusive slides.

Her double play partner, sophomore shortstop Brooke Kuffel, is hitting .426 with 6 home runs and 42 runs scored as the team's leadoff hitter.

Freshman catcher Alexis Pupillo has provided a spark with a .560 average, 5 home runs and 32 RBI while shining defensively.

"She can throw runners out at any base at any time," Busam said. "She's utterly fearless, and not only a great catcher, but a skilled, crafty base runner."

Busam said the team has learned from last year when they also got off to a good start before struggling in the second half.

That's one reason they took a measured approach to their win over Huntley.

"We don't look at it as a statement game," Busam said. "I put too much pressure on the team last year. I thought we fell apart in the second half of the season. We didn't play well in the postseason. I put a lot of pressure on those guys because I thought we should be winning and playing better and we weren't. This year we are taking an entirely different approach. We need to have fun playing softball. And they are having tons of fun. It comes down to playing well in close games. We're trying not to put too much stock in one single game."

More hot hitting: Among the other top hitters in the area this spring are Geneva's Sam Keller and Emily Viebrock.

Keller, the team's leadoff hitter and shortstop, is hitting .500 in her first 42 at-bats with 20 runs and 6 doubles. Her 11 walks give her a .744 on-base percentage.

Viebrock hit safely in 12 of Geneva's first 13 games. She has a .422 average with 15 RBI.

Like Geneva, St. Charles East has two DuKane Conference losses and is chasing Lake Park. Through April's games, Maddy Stout has the team's best batting average at .435 followed by Alex Wooten at .429 and Lauren Luna at .414. Those three have combined to hit 13 home runs.

Sophomore leadoff hitter Katie Arrambide is batting .359. She also has 115 strikeouts in her first 78 innings in the circle with a 2.67 ERA.

Burlington Central (13-4) is enjoying a strong season in Scott Richman's first year as coach including a recent nonconference win over Kaneland.

Junior center fielder Reili Gardner holds a .475 average in her team's first 17 games with 3 home runs, 3 triples, 20 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Senior third baseman Lindsay Jamrozek (.392, 17 RBI), junior pitcher Alisyn Catenacci (.358, 3 HR, 13 RBI) and junior catcher Peyton Curtis (.383, 10 RBI, 11 runs) all have been key contributors offensively.

Catenacci also has an 8-2 record with 85 strikeouts in 65 innings and a 2.03 ERA.

Positive attitude: While Dundee-Crown is adjusting without graduated ace Sydney Ruggles and entered Friday with a 5-12 record, coach Tracy Beatty has no complaints with her team's effort.

"The kids work hard every single day," Beatty said. "Every time we come on the field we give 100 percent. We try to make adjustments and every day get a little stronger and that's all I can ask. Leave it on the field and I feel that's what they do. They are good kids. It's definitely a different look for us but we've totally embraced it and we're just working on getting better every single day."