Softball: Antioch shuts out Wauconda for 11th straight win
The Antioch softball team kept on rolling Tuesday afternoon, extending their winning streak to 11 games in a Northern Lake County Conference contest at Wauconda.
The Sequoits (19-2, 7-0) built a 4-0 lead after three innings, and they never looked back en route to a 6-0 NLCC victory.
Antioch got on the scoreboard against Wauconda starter Georgia Reimers (5 innings pitched) in the top of the second when Addison Webb (2-for-4, RBI) singled, courtesy runner Mia Bellucci moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored when Rylee Dunlavy (2-for-4, 3 RBI) reached base on an error. Dunlavy came around to score on another infield error by the Bulldogs for a 2-0 lead.
Junior Addison Housh led off the third with a double before Samantha Hillner (2-for-3, 2 runs) walked. With two outs, Dunlavy came through with a 2-run single to left field to boost the lead to 4-0.
Wauconda (13-14, 3-5) struggled at the plate against Antioch freshman pitcher Pearl Wenzel (9-0, 1.20 ERA) as Wenzel had a no-hitter going until a two-out single by Ainsleigh Buse with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Wenzel threw a 2-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts and 1 walk.
"We executed when we needed to, we got some clutch hits, and Rylee Dunlavy had 3 of our RBIs," said Antioch coach Anthony Rocco, whose team outhit the Bulldogs 8-2. "She (Wenzel) had 15 strikeouts, she did an excellent job, and she's tough to hit. We've got three pitchers we can trust."
Hillner doubled down the left-field line before scoring on an RBI single to right-center by Webb for a 5-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Webb reached base on a fielder's choice in the top of the seventh before courtesy runner Addison Osborne moved to second on a throwing error. Then Osborne scored on an RBI single by Dunlavy to account for the final score.
"I think it was a team effort. The first time we played them it was rough against their pitcher, but I think we all adjusted very well and started hitting her better today," said Dunlavy, whose team beat Wauconda 5-4 on April 20. "We want to make it to state, try to win state, and have everyone make their personal goals."
Junior Aubrey Fetingis singled to open the bottom of the seventh, but the Bulldogs were unable to put together a late-game rally.
"We've been up and down a little bit offensively, but we're going to get there, and I have a ton of confidence in our girls," said Wauconda coach Tim Orisek. "They're a tough team, their pitcher did a nice job throwing the ball and hitting her spots. At the right time we're going to be hitting the ball well, and I know we can compete with anyone."