Fox softball notes: Saints slugging in early going

Harvey’s Wallbangers are alive and well in St. Charles.

The St. Charles East softball team is taking a page out of the early 1982 Milwaukee Brewers playbook when it comes to 4-base hits.

Coach Jarod Gutesha’s team has clubbed 8 homers through the team’s first 4 games. The Saints (3-1) are led by Katie Morgan (.571 batting average), Alyse Price (.467) and Addison Wolf (.429). Grace Hautzinger is 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA with 26 strikeouts against only 2 walks.

Aurora Central Catholic update: The Chargers are off to a 6-1 start, including a 2-0 beginning in Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White Division action after slaughter-rule wins over St. Ignatius and Trinity. Junior Kate Gambro, returning from a broken wrist last fall, is hitting .636 with 3 triples, 3 homers, 12 RBI and 15 runs scored. She’s also 2-0 in the circle. Junior Ashley Moore is hitting .542 with 2 triples, 2 homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored. Junior Maddy Torrance is at .571 with 10 runs scored, while sophomore Grace Grunloh is hitting .636 with 1 homer. Junior Charlotte Brummel is 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA and has 24 strikeouts in 12 innings of work, while sophomore Morgan Vaghy is hitting .435 with 2 homers, 2 triples and 7 runs scored. ACC is hitting .438 as a team and has plated 81 runs in the first 7 games.

Aurora Christian update: The Eagles are playing a combined JV and varsity schedule due to the team’s youthfulness, coach Scott Kendall noted. Aurora Christian lost its opener 9-8 to Indian Creek in the DeKalb rec center after overcoming a 7-run deficit. Anna Beaumont pitched 4 innings in the game, while Grace Kendall finished the final two. Emily Russell and Angelina Klimpkee are the only seniors on the team, while Makenzie Jensen, Madisyn Glen and Abby Henry also are back. Russell, Beaumont, Kendall and shortstop Maddy Kossakowski hit well against Indian Creek, while Ellie Stark had an inside-the-park home run. Beaumont and Kendall rotate in the circle, at first and in the outfield. Kossakowski was cited for strong shortstop play in the opener.

Burlington Central update: The Rockets are 1-3 on the young season. Coach Bill Morrow noted despite the record, pitching has been good via the likes of senior Emily Rafferty, juniors Addisyn Peterson and Allie Botkin, sophomore Isabelle Reed and freshman Emmerson Falk. Senior Anna Sanders and freshman Mei Shirokawa have been strong at the plate, Morrow said. The coach stressed the team is working hard on defensive improvement after 17 unearned runs scored on 15 errors in the first 4 games. “If we can minimize our errors we can compete with anyone,” he said.

Cary-Grove update: Freshman Annika Dykstra hit .714 in the Trojans’ first 2 games, while Megan Koski reached base at a .750 clip. Dykstra, the only freshman on the team, went 3-for-3 in the season-opener against Lakes. Cary (0-2) enjoyed a 9-hit performance against Bartlett but lost 9-7 after leaving 9 stranded, coach Cara Neff explained.

Crystal Lake South update: The Gators (0-3) have been led early by the likes of Stephanie Lesniewski, Ella Nawracaj, Dana Skorich and Alli Lieflander. Lesniewski pounded 3 homers (1 grand slam) and had 9 RBI in the team’s doubleheader opener. Lieflander, a freshman, had a home run in her first high school game. Nawracaj is a sophomore playing softball for the first time for South. She also hit a homer in her first game and has been working hard on her pitching, coach Sara Markelonis pointed out.

Dundee-Crown update: The Chargers started the week 2-5, going 1-3 in Tennessee over spring break. Alyssa Gale is the team’s top hitter (.529, .619 on-base), while Faith Dierwechter has 5 RBI and is hitting .500. Jordyn Jeffs and Annabelle Pederson each have a homer, while McKayla Anderson has struck out 40 in the circle. Gale and Dierwechter have been particularly notable, coach Matthew Goetz said..

Hampshire update: The Whip-Purs were 3-0 nonconference winners over Lake Zurich at the Rosemont Dome and started the week 4-2 overall. Bria Riebel leads Hampshire in all batting statistics, while Lily Sippel leads the pitching staff with 3 wins and 30 strikeouts. Chloe Van Horn is hitting over .500 and playing great defense, coach Jeremy Bauer noted.

Harvest Christian update: The Lions were 0-2 to start the season with junior Mackenzie Richards leading the way, hitting .800 with 2 RBI and 2 steals. Freshman sister Makayla Richards also is hitting .800 with a team-best 4 RBI. Junior Kenzie Weidman is hitting .400 with 3 runs scored.

Huntley update: The Red Raiders (3-2) have been led on offense by the likes of Lyla Ginczycki (.500 batting average), Aubrina Adamik (.444) and Meghan Ryan (.368).

Jacobs update: Jianna Tanada is hitting .571 with a .667 on-base percentage for H.D. Jacobs (1-2), while Yatzi Rocha has a 1.00 ERA in the circle where opponents are hitting a poverty .120 against her. “Jianna has been hot in the leadoff spot and is seeing the ball well against all competition,” coach Jessica Turner said. Rocha pitched a 3-hitter against Schaumburg and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

Kaneland update: The Knights (3-1-1) went 2-1-1 over spring break in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Bree Crosby, Brynn Woods and Natalie Naab lead the team offensively, while Woods, Corinne Pugh, Katie Congoran, Ellie Peck and Bella Gradus have been the Knights’ defensive leaders. Naab had a double and triple in her varsity debut against Yorkville and also made a play at home plate. Woods has 4 singles and 3 RBI and has 16 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings pitched. Crosby has 2 singles, 3 doubles, a triple and 4 RBI.

Larkin update: Kenya Ventura (.467 batting average, 1 homer, 2 doubles), Yesi Escobar (.467, 3 doubles) and Ali Herrick (.357) have led the way thus far for the Royals (2-3). “All three are off to a hot start,” Larkin coach Anne Vogt said.

South Elgin update: The Storm went 2-3 in Tennessee and checked in at 3-4 to start the week. Anna Kiel leads South Elgin with a .524 batting average with 2 doubles, a homer and 9 RBI. Amber Gnutek is hitting .500 with 2 doubles and 7 RBI, while Ava McDaniel is hitting .375 with 5 doubles and 5 RBI. “Ava has been a doubles machine,” coach Brad Reynard said. “Anna has been on fire and hitting it hard and Amber has had some 2-out RBI.”