Kaneland 12, Geneva 1
Vicki Mathieu has a secrete.
She could tell you, but she would have to kill you.
Or at least make sure you didn't repeat it to any opposing softball pitchers.
Mathieu likes to drive the ball to the opposite field. Pitch her away, and you will pay.
Mathieu drove two rockets to right field, a pair of doubles that drove in 5 runs in Kaneland's 12-1 victory at Geneva Tuesday in 5 innings.
"Shush, don't tell anybody," Mathieu said, smiling. "I just wanted to wait for my pitch and nail it."
Mathieu's first double cleared the bases in the first inning, putting the Knights ahead 3-0.
Geneva starter Kristyn Ruitenberg (0-4), in just her second start back after suffering a broken hand early this season, walked the first three hitters.
"She's trying to work herself back in game shape," Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. "She'll get there. She warmed up well but didn't carry it over to the first inning. She'll get there."
The Knights (14-6, 7-3) broke the game open with a 6-run second inning. Catcher Lindsay Hansen delivered the big blow, a 3-run home run over the fence in left center.
The Kaneland catcher now has 2 career home runs. Hansen's first came during her sophomore year against Sycamore.
Her blast also was one of 5 extra-base hits for the Knights. Leadoff batter Sara Rose tripled, No. 2 hitter Jackie Smith singled twice and third hitter Maggie Yagen doubled.
Those top three hitters were on base all afternoon, combining for 5 hits and 7 runs.
"Everybody is hitting, getting on base. It was good to see," said Kaneland coach Dennis Hansen, whose team lost 9-7 to Geneva earlier this season.
"We wanted to avenge that loss we had a couple weeks ago because we felt we didn't play our best and they took it to us. We wanted to reverse the fortune and take it to them early."
Kaneland increased its lead to 11-0 on Mathieu's 2-run double in the third inning.
Geneva (10-10, 4-5) got on the board in the fifth. Ruitenberg doubled and Nikki Davis ripped an RBI single.
That was all Kaneland starter Mallory Huml allowed while improving to 11-3. She struck out four and walked just one.
"Mallory threw well, the defense played well and we hit the ball all over the field," Hansen said.
Geneva will try to bounce back in conference games this week against leader Glenbard South and rival Batavia, then hopes to make up a doubleheader against Rosary Saturday.
Dierks would like to see his offense hit the ball more consistently throughout the order.
"Huml pitched a nice game," Dierks said. "We have the ability to put some runs up. We didn't string the hits together as well as last time. Some of that is credit to their pitcher, and we have some spots in our order that have dried up a little. We have to get our offense going a little better top to bottom."