Ciran helps power St. Charles N. past Larkin
Something about playing Larkin makes Amanda Ciran's eyes light up.
Ciran blasted a home run in St. Charles North's 7-1 win over the Royals Wednesday in St. Charles, her first home run of the season and second of her career.
The other? You guessed it. Last year against Larkin.
"Something about this school," Ciran smiled.
St. Charles North (7-5, 4-2) already was in control, leading 4-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth when Ciran helped put the game out of reach.
Ashley Seering led off with a double, then Ciran hit a line rocket down the left-field line that easily sailed over the fence.
"It felt really good because I had been stuggling just a little bit trying to get my groove back," Ciran said. "Hitting that was effortless. It was fun to get that one you have been pinning for. You know you can do it but you finally got to do it. It just felt awesome."
St. Charles North coach April Stary has been stressing improved power hitting in the middle of the order as a key this year. The North Stars still have speed at the top of the order and their good defense, so more pop in the bats is just what she's looking for.
Taylor Russell has St. Charles North's other home run this season, against Elgin.
"Our defense has always been one of our strengths, hitting is where we had our problems last year," Stary said. "Now we're getting our lefties on and getting our power to get them around the bases. It's a nice change from last year. We had a couple growing pains and now it is smoothing out."
Amanda Engel enjoyed the offensive support. She allowed just a fourth-inning run while striking out six to improve to 5-0.
"She's been taking care of buisness left and right and sideways against eveyrone we put her against," Stary said.
The North Stars scored twice in the first inning, then added a pair in the fourth for a 4-1 advantage.
In addition to Ciran's home run, Annie Korth drove home Seering with a groundout, Kristin Damm had an RBI single to right to plate Ciran and the North Stars scored a couple unearned runs.
Megan Johnson fell to 2-3 for Larkin (4-8, 3-2). She also scored her team's only run.
While four errors hurt Larkin, the Royals defense made the play of the day in the fifth inning. With Sydney Russell at third after a leadoff triple, JuliaClare Plezbert ripped a liner at first baseman Sam King. The ball deflected off King towards second base, where freshman Lexi Smithberg alertly dove to catch the ball for the out. Johnson eventually stranded Russell at third.
"Megan pitched decent but we have to get her a little more support Larkin coach Larry Height said.
"We had our hits (7) all spread out and left everyone else on and made some errors and the game should have been 3-1 or 4-1. That's a real good team. They are fast. I thought we held our own for the most part. That team doesn't have a weak spot."