Softball: Energetic Prospect knocks off Hersey

Prospect's sophomore battery of Lina Calvacca and catcher Gianna Catanzano was charged up on Wednesday when the Knights visited first-place Hersey for a Mid-Suburban East softball game in Arlington Heights.

And the two Knights gave credit to their coaches.

"Our coaches (Krystina Mackowiak and Ray Collins) were super hyped and we just came out with great team effort," Catanzano said. "We came out with high energy."

Calvacca was energized in the circle and the batter's box as she earned her fourth win in nine decisions by striking out five and tossing an 8-hitter in a 10-7 triumph.

For good measure, she clubbed her first career homer, a leadoff blast to center field in the top of the fifth inning for a 7-4 lead .

Second baseman Gabby Dilan (infield hit) and shortstop Liz Aicher (walk) each scored in the sixth and Julia Nay (single to left) crossed the plate in the seventh to give Prospect (9-8, 4-4)  a 10-4 lead.

However, Hersey (11-3, 6-2) hardly went down without a fight. The first four batters reached in the bottom of the inning, including a 2-run double to center from Gabby Felman which scored Grace Grabowy and Reese Izenstark.

Felman came home on an error for the third run before Calvacca closed it out with a popup back to the mound, a flyout out to right fielder Nay and first baseman's Rachael Sasanuma's nice lunging catch forward of a popup to end the game.

"We never counted Hersey out," Mackowiak said. "We know they have had some good bats and we had to get the outs when we could and take advantage of the plays we can make so that we could finish it out. I'm very proud of this team."

Mackowiak was proud of the way her team hit after struggling recently at the plate.

"It was really nice to see us come out and score almost every inning (all but the fourth)," she said. "I think we finally hit our potential and hopefully we don't look back."

The offense got 2 hits apiece from Nay, Sasanuma, Catanzano and Calvacca, who also had a long drive to the outfield which scored two runs on an error.

"What a game for her (Calvacca) on the mound and at bat," Mackowiak said. “I'm very proud of her. She's fought through a lot and grown a lot this season. We've had a lot of close games and haven't always helped her out. It was nice to finally see her pitch where she could be loose and holding a lead."

"Honestly, it was just being confident," Calvacca said. "Of course, my catcher helped, too. It just feels amazing right now."

Catanzano had a second-inning RBI double which staked her baterymatre to a 2-1 lead before the Knights added 4 runs in the top of the third, taking advantage of 2 errors.

The Hersey offense was led by shortstop Grace Grabowy, who went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI. Felman was 2-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI while pitcher Ariya Patel, McKenna Menczywor, Payton Kee, Maddy Drury and Kate Kaiser each had a hit.

Hersey committed 5 errors.

"We had a lot of defensive mistakes," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman , whose team still holds a 2-game lead over Elk Grove, Buffalo Grove and Prospect which all have 4 losses. "They were uncharacteristic but when people know you are in first place, they are coming for you and we just didn't bring it today. It's definitely a disappointment but we've got to move on. Prospect came to play. Hats off to them."

Hersey hosts Palatine on Thursday and Lake Zurich on Friday.

Barringtoin visits Prospect on Friday.

"This was very exciting," Mackowiak said. "I'm very proud of this team. We've had a rough week but hopefully this will show what we are capable of and hopefully things are just up from here. I think we finally hit to our potential and hopefully we don't look back."