Lake softball notes: Mundelein’s Johnson notches 300th strikeout

The Mundelein softball team continues to make headlines.

The Mustangs were 21-0 and 8-0 in North Suburban Conference play through the earlier part of this week. Mundelein recently went 3-0 at the Rolling Meadows tournament with victories against Johnsburg, Wauconda and Palatine in the championship game.

Shae Johnson recently eclipsed 300 strikeouts for her career during a dominant performance against Palatine. In 13 innings pitched last Saturday in the tournament, Johnson fanned a combined 27 and gave up only 6 hits. Claire Connelly (3 homers at Rolling Meadows including a grand slam against Johnsburg) and Kieley Tomas both are batting over .500, while Karina Benes was touted for her efforts at the plate and at catcher. “Karina is an integral part of the success of our pitchers and continues to be clutch at the No. 2 spot in our batting order (on-base percentage of .557),” coach Heather Ryan said.

Antioch update: Standout Jacey Schuler struck out 20 in an 8-inning win against Lakes and also fanned 13 and allowed only 1 earned run against a tough St. Charles North team. She also hit .600 during a recent 3-game span. She was 13-2 with 188 strikeouts in 95 1/3 innings of work with a 1.39 ERA to start the week, while also leading the team with a .500 batting average and 3 homers. Sam Hillner (6 doubles, 13 walks), Aubrey Ultsch (5 doubles), Claire Schuyler (5 doubles, 3 triples), Tegan Schuler (3 homers, 20 runs), Jaydnn Ruiz (team-best 17 RBI out of No. 2 spot, 10 steals) and Addie Webb (16 RBI) have all contributed for the Sequoits (16-3, 5-1 Northern Lake County). Ruiz, Hillner and Kailyn Bockwoldt all hit over .400 during a recent 4-game winning streak.

Carmel update: Emma Carney is hitting .400 with 6 homers and a team-best 23 RBI for the Corsairs (8-13, 4-8 East Suburban Catholic). “Emma has been holding down the catching position and has done a great job behind there,” coach Nicole Parney said. “She has been batting cleanup and is always getting on base and driving in runs while being aggressive both at the plate and on the base paths.” Kate Buckingham was cited for strong play as well. “Kate has stepped up in centerfield as a freshman,” Parney added. “She has been covering a lot of ground and making great plays.”

Grayslake Central update: Eliza Piggott and Annie Wolff tore it up offensively last week for the Rams (9-9, 4-3 Northern Lake County). Wolff hit .625 with 10 hits and 4 homers, while Piggott hit .562 in 4 games with 5 homers, 3 doubles, 16 RBI and 7 runs scored. Piggott is at .482 this season (1.868 OPS) with 14 home runs, 38 RBI, 5 doubles and 26 runs scored. Emma Andrews is hitting .455 (1.462 OPS) with 8 homers, 3 doubles, 22 RBI and 28 runs. Wolff is hitting .418 (1.265 OPS) with 7 homers, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored, while Kate Davies is at .358 (1.264 OPS) with 7 homers, 4 doubles, 18 RBI and 11 runs. “The middle of our order has continued to mash the ball,” coach Jim Plaza said. Central has 39 homers, which is approaching the school record.

Lakes: As coach Bill Hamill put it, it was a tough week but a good week last week for the Eagles, who beat Libertyville, Grant and Glenbrook North and lost to Richmond-Burton and 2-0 to Antioch in 8 innings. Lakes beat Glenbrook North 11-10 in 9 innings. Cassidy Berchtold fanned 11 against Antioch. “Cassidy held her own and controlled the game for the most part,” Hamill said.

Lake Zurich update: The Bears downed local neighbor Stevenson 5-2 and stood at 9-8 overall and 5-3 in North Suburban action earlier this week. Alli Koelper (.421 batting average), Morgan Lesniewicz (.421) and Claire Kohlman (.420) have been offensive stalwarts, while senior Katarina Milutinovic and freshman Alaina Krzeminski also have been key for coach Fred Valdez’s squad.

Libertyville update: Zoe Kinsella has been key for the Wildcats at the plate and at shortstop. Last week, she went 8-for-11 with 2 homers and 9 RBI. “Zoe’s defense continues to get better and better fundamentally,” Libertyville coach Sean Ferrell said. Sophomore Taylor Higham has 115 strikeouts in 70 innings of work. “Taylor leads us on the mound and has been a huge impact offensively hitting third in our lineup and producing consistently all year.” The Cats were 9-12 overall and 4-5 in North Suburban action through midweek. “I like how we continue to compete and play hard,” Ferrell said. “Our kids keep working to get better and we have improved greatly defensively.”

Stevenson update: League wins against Warren and Lake Zurich put the Patriots at 12-7 overall and 6-2 in North Suburban play to start the week. Jasmine Lucero is leading the team in hitting at .516, while Alyssa Shimanski is hitting .431. Amanda Turofsky and Ava Potempa also have been playing well. “Alyssa has been hitting the ball hard and getting a lot of extra-base hits,” coach Vera Pflugradt said. “Amanda has stepped up as a catcher and is being a huge leader for our team. Ava has done an awesome job on the mound and of taking control of the game.”

Vernon Hills update: The Cougars started the week 9-11-1 overall and 3-2 in Central Suburban North play. Junior Katie Cir (C-OF) hit .412 last week (.524 on-base) with 4 singles, 2 doubles, a triple, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored and 2 steals while battling through injury behind the plate, coach Jan Pauly noted. Junior first baseman/pitcher/designated player Lily Kozin hit .429 last week while coming off an injury (5 singles and 1 double) while also seeing success as a reliever. Morgan Hart leads the way hitting .530 (.970 slugging) with 35 hits, 3 homers, 32 RBI and 10 steals. Izzy Loiben is hitting .358 (.537 slugging) with 24 hits, 2 homers and 22 RBI. “Morgan consistently hits,” Pauly said. “She is solid at first base and has pitched well when called upon. Her hard work is paying off and she is having a fantastic season.”

Warren update: Katie Monroe (.479 batting average, .604 slugging, 21 RBI), Hannah Conger (.400, 1.109 slugging, 29 RBI) and Angelina Perez (.385, .538 slugging, 16 RBI) lead the way at the plate for Warren (14-5, 6-2 North Suburban). “Katie Monroe has been a constant force behind the plate catching and at the plate,” coach Jenna Charbonneau said. “She is a bulldog that always puts the ball in play and comes up clutch in big situations.” Joshlynn Kirkwood was 3-0 in the circle and hit 2 homers during a recent 2-week span. “She is one to look out for,” Charbonneau said.