Softball notes: Wheaton North, South Elgin grab early leads in respective conference races

The Wheaton North softball team is clicking on all cylinders.

Coach Allie Ravanesi’s squad started the week 14-2 and 3-0 in the brutally tough DuKane Conference. A recent 5-game tear included wins over Barrington, St. Charles East and St. Charles North by a combined 7 runs.

Reagan Crosthwaite (.500 hitting, 25 hits, 9 homers, 27 RBI), Moriah Herr (.389, 14 hits), Makayla Grantz (.389 hitting, 21 hits) and pitcher Hannah Wulf (1.40 ERA, 78 strikeouts, 15 walks, opponents hitting .172) all have contributed to the Falcons’ success. Ravanesi also lauded Grantz’s defensive abilities.

South Elgin update: Coach Brad Reynard’s team scored key Upstate Eight wins over West Chicago (3-2, Chloe Ricard walk-off double) and Riverside-Brookfield (10-0) to move to 7-0 in league play at week’s start (14-4 overall).

Anna Kiel (.543 hitting, 14 RBI, 6-3 pitching, 0.60 ERA), Addison Tinerella (.485 hitting, 19 runs), catcher Ricard (.400 hitting, 8 doubles, 2 homers, 13 RBI, cited for excellence behind the plate), Emma Bell (.451 hitting, 10 RBI, 23 runs) and Jenna Sheehan (.377 hitting, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 14 RBI, 4-1 pitching, 1.32 ERA) have led the way for the Storm, which won 9 of 10 recent games. Kiel recently went over the 400 career strikeout mark and broke the school record for career doubles (37).

Addison Trail update: Erin Parker (.524 hitting, 21 steals), Nina Matthews (5 homers) and Marisa Lloveras (18 RBI) have been offensive constants for coach Mark Olson’s Blazers (8-8, 1-1 West Suburban Gold).

Aurora Central Catholic update: The Chargers (17-5, 6-2, Girls Catholic Athletic White) started the week on a 6-game winning streak (included a 14-6 win over 3A No. 13 Providence Catholic). Senior Jessica Pleckham (.455 hitting) hit .818 during a recent 2-game span, while Kate Gambro (.365 hitting, 30 RBI, 23 runs) hit .429 with 2 homers and 13 RBI over that same stretch. Pitchers Corina Miller (10-1, 70 K, 2.05 ERA) and Charlotte Brummel combined for the recent 6 wins (1.94 ERA, 10 earned runs allowed during the stretch).

Burlington Central update: Isabelle Reed has 82 strikeouts after fanning 14 in a 2-0 win over Cary-Grove, while Mei Shirokawa and Kelsey Covey lead coach Bill Morrow’s team in average and on-base percentage. Sophomore Addison Beltran had 2 homers, 2 doubles and 9 singles during a recent 10-game run at first or designated player. Junior Kendall Glonek has caught the Fox Valley Conference games and has thrown out 8 of 15 base-runners and has a .977 fielding percentage for the Rockets (10-12, 7-3).

Elgin update: Grace Tetrev (.500 hitting) and Abby Mutolo (.410 hitting) are the offensive leaders for the Maroons (3-13, 2-6 Upstate Eight), who recently downed Streamwood 11-1.

Downers Grove North update: Senior pitcher Ashlynn Durkin has struck out 88 in 40 innings (2.62 ERA), while the Trojans (7-9, 2-1 West Suburban Silver) also have been bolstered by Ella Bonk (.436 hitting, .532 on-base ,5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homers, 11 RBI) and Sam Lehnherr (.324 batting, .405 on-base, 2 triples).

Downers Grove South update: Freshman outfielder Jordan Balsavich (.556 hitting, .600 on-base, 4 doubles, 1 homer, 12 RBI, 16 runs), junior shortstop Addison Yurchak (.429 hitting, .473 on-base, 3 doubles, 3 homers, 17 RBI, 15 runs) and senior second baseman Gabby Ruchniewicz (.590 hitting, 4 doubles, 1 homer, 10 runs) lead the way for the Trojans (7-7, 2-0 West Suburban Gold to start the week).

Glenbard North update: Tru Medina (.564 hitting, 8 homers, 3 triples, 7 doubles, 20 runs, 21 RBI, 8 steals), Alyssa Abderhalden (.400 hitting, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 6 RBI, 9 runs) and Avery Miller (7-2 pitching) lead the way for the Panthers (12-2, 2-2 DuKane), who have also received key help from Kylee Sisco at third base and catcher Sam Gonzalez.

Glenbard West update: The Hilltoppers (11-2, 2-0 West Suburban Silver at week’s start) had won 9 games in a row since returning from spring break. Megan Stieglitz (.442 hitting, .538 on-base, 1.701 OPS, 5 doubles 1 triples, 8 home runs, 20 RBI, 17 runs), Alex Trybus (.436 hitting, 1.104 OPS, 4 doubles, 1 homer, 10 RBI) and Morgan Putnam (.379 hitting, .471 on-base) are recent notables, while coach Mary McGrane praised the defensive work of shortstop Caroline Semprevivo. “Caroline defensively has been stellar for us,’ she said. “She makes plays when needed and continues to be a consistent presence at shortstop for us.”

Harvest Christian Academy update: Freshman Haley Miller (.625 hitting, 27 runs) and sophomore Makayla Richards (.581 hitting, 11 extra-base hits, 16 RBI), senior Kenzie Weidman (.500 hitting, 5 homers, 27 RBI), senior Emily Pfister (.500 hitting), sophomore Alayna Booras (.500 hitting, 16 runs), senior Mackenzie Richards (.585 on-base) and senior Alyssa Burke (4-4, 44 K in 37 innings) power the Lions (6-8, 2-2 Northeastern Athletic).

Hinsdale Central update: Offensive leaders for the Red Devils (6-5, 0-3 West Suburban Silver) include junior Lauren Koschik (.436 hitting) and sophomores Emersyn Willits (.444), Kaleigh Kozlowski (.433) and Malia Kuo (.393).

Hinsdale South update: Kayla Buckels-Meen is hitting .476 with 6 home runs and combined with Lauren Bishop to hit back-to-back home runs in a recent West Suburban Gold win against Morton. Buckels-Meen and Bishop hit 3 and 4 in the lineup for the Hornets (3-15-1, 1-2 WSC Gold).

Huntley update: Isabella Boskey (.481 hitting, 4 homers and 21 RBI) has been an offensive power for the Red Raiders (11-8, 6-2 Fox Valley to start the week).

IC Catholic Prep update: Maddy Dinino recorded her 200th career strikeout in the circle in a recent win against St. Viator. Ari Zito (.551 hitting, .614 on-base), Sofia Bucaro (31 steals), Lexi Russ (38 RBI) and Kelly Cahill (8 doubles, 3 triples) also have been key for the Knights (12-9, 4-3 Girls Catholic Athletic White).

Lake Park update: The Lancers (12-2, 3-0 DuKane to start the week) recently downed Glenbard North 3-1 behind Gianna Furlano’s 11-strikeout complete-game performance. Furlano and Alex Kiefer also homered in the North win. Ava Arenz (.475 hitting) and Ari O’Connell (.460, 7 homers, 20 runs, 22 RBI) are additional notables for Lake Park along with defensive player Kaylee Fritzler, coach Lynsey Gunnells noted.

Larkin update: The Royals scored a big 4-3 win over West Aurora where Ali Herrick homered to tie the game in the seventh and freshman Alexia Alonzo’s hit won it. Mya Bermudez had 3 hits in the game, while Mackenzie Wemken earned the complete-game win in the circle for Megan Johnson’s Royals (8-10, 4-5 Upstate Eight), who also have received key contributions from Julissa Aguinaga (.471 hitting, 24 RBI), Kenya Ventura (.360 hitting, 18 RBI) and Herrick (.349 hitting, 13 RBI).

Metea Valley update: Charlie Benesh (.450 hitting, 5 homers, 21 RBI, 89 K in 65 innings pitched) has been a dual threat for the Mustangs (5-11, 2-4 DuPage Valley), while Maielle Emser (.509 hitting, 28 hits, 6 doubles, 9 RBI) has been key with the bat.

Naperville North update: Gabi Chmiel hit .444 with 3 RBI in a recent 5-game stretch, while Sara Rossi (.397 hitting, .462 on-base, 15 runs, 20 steals) continues to play well for the Huskies (3-14, 2-4 DuPage Valley). Rossi also was cited for strong center-field defense by coach Jerry Kedziora, while Chmiel also went 2-0 (3 earned runs allowed) with 21 strikeouts against 3 walks in 3 recent conference games.

Neuqua Valley update: Tegan Spellerberg (.357 hitting, 3 triples) hit 3 homers in a recent 3-game run, while Krista Waldusky (.438 hitting, 13 RBI, 21 hits), Nalia Clifford (.426 hitting, 16 RBI, 7 doubles), Ashley Pape (.373, 3 triples, 5 doubles, 12 RBI), Cora Dickson (15 RBI) and Ava Drehs (130 strikeouts, 6-2, 1.61 ERA) continue to star for the Wildcats (8-8) who sat atop the DuPage Valley Conference at 5-0 to start the week with an 11-inning win over Naperville North.

St. Charles East update: During a recent 5-game losing streak, East lost contests by scores of 4-3, 5-3, 6-4 and 2-1 (all against quality teams) after recording a pair of 2-1 wins earlier in the year. Hayden Sujack (.462 hitting, 24 hits, 8 homers, 27 RBI, 11 walks), Addison Wolf (.448 hitting, 26 hits, 6 homers, 23 RBI) and Makayla Van Dinther (100 K, 19 walks, 2.71 ERA, opponents hitting .190) lead the way for coach Jarod Guetsha’s Saints (10-9, 1-3 DuKane).

St. Charles North update: The North Stars (11-3, 3-1 DuKane) began the week on a 7-game winning streak. Juliana Kouba hit .625 (10 hits, 2 doubles, 9 RBI) during a recent 5-game stretch. Abby Zawadzki had 2 homers and 5 RBI against West Chicago. Ella Heimbuch (.465 hitting, 1.148 OPS, 20 hits, 13 runs, 9 steals), Julianna Kouba (.452, 1.132 OPS, 19 hits, 5 doubles, 16 RBI, 13 runs, 0 K in 48 plate appearances) and Paige Murray (5-1, 60 K in 55 2/3 innings; .407 hitting, 11 hits, 5 doubles) also have been key contributors.

Streamwood update: Pitcher Zanilla Jackson struck out 14 in the Sabres’ come-from-behind 20-14 Upstate Eight win over East Aurora. Catcher Haily Dworak homered over the left-field fence in the fourth inning to break up a no-hitter against Bartlett.

Timothy Christian update: Sophia Mook is hitting a torrid .690 with 4 homers for the Trojans (8-2, 4-2 Chicagoland Christian to start the week), while Maci Woerner has been a constant in the circle for coach Lindsay Slovey’s squad.

Wheaton Warrenville South update: Presley Wright (9-2, 1.30 ERA, 81 K in 70 innings, 7 walks) shut out heavy-hitting Glenbard North (limited to 3 hits) 4-0, while Abby Mease (.487 hitting), 19 hits), shortstop Becca Chaney (.415, 10 RBI, 4 doubles), Nelia Kirchun (.393, 7 RBI) and catcher Allison Hubsky (.379, 4 doubles, 8 RBI) have been notable for the Tigers (10-3, 2-1 DuKane).

Waubonsie Valley update: Molly Quinn walked none and earned her first complete-game win against Metea Valley recently. Other leaders for the Warriors (5-10, 2-4 DuPage Valley) include Aislee Morgan (.563 hitting, 12 RBI) and Dezirae Kelly (.326 hitting, 14 runs).

York update: Sophomore outfielder Kayla Winters hit two homers against Oak Park-River Forest and now has 3 on the season, while junior third baseman Gia Valentin leads the Dukes (11-6, 1-2 West Suburban Silver to start the week) with a .441 batting average.