Huntley, Hampshire sweep; D-C wins again
The potency of the top of Huntley's softball lineup this season is no secret. But opposing teams would be wise to pay attention to the lower part of the Red Raiders' batting order this season as well.
Getting key contributions from its 5 through 9 hitters, host Huntley remained undefeated for the season Saturday, sweeping a nonconference doubleheader, 5-1 and 10-9, from Rosary.
Samantha Clemons picked up both wins for the Red Raiders (4-0), tossing a 2-hitter in the opener and then coming on in relief of Deana DeBosschere in the nightcap.
Sophomore Amanda Wisniewski had the big hit in Game 1, lacing a 2-run triple to break a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore Alexys Robbins also drove in a run in the inning as did junior Alex Albanese.
"The thing we're most proud of in our first four games is that everyone is contributing," said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. "We're not just relying on our 1-4 hitters. Wisniewski and Robbins have been really solid through these first four games."
In the second game, Robbins sparked a Huntley 6-run third inning with a RBI single that opened the floodgates. Leadoff hitter Sarah Clancy later added a 2-run single as the Red Raiders built an 8-1 lead and looked to be on the verge of a slaughter rule win when Rosary (1-4) mounted a late comeback and almost tied the game in the top of the seventh.
"My girls are warriors and they never give up," said Rosary coach Tara Tattersall. "We fought really hard."
The Royals trailed 8-1 going into the fifth inning when they got to DeBosschere, who was pitching with a sore hand. After going hitless through four innings, Rosary clubbed out 5 hits and scored 7 runs in the fifth to tie the game. Huntley committed 3 errors in the inning while Jessica Fortier, Lauren Contorno, Kylie Schalz, Colleen VanBogaert and Courtney Classen all drove in runs for Rosary.
"Hitting is contagious and once we got that one hit the merry-go-round started," Tattersall said.
With one out in the inning, Petryniec had to bring Clemmons in to relieve DeBosschere, who struck out four and walked two. Clemmons got the last two outs of the inning without further damage being done.
""Our game plan was for (DeBosschere) to go four innings and we pushed it a little into the fifth," Petryniec said. "But we're very pleased with her performance today."
Huntley came back in the bottom of the fifth to score twice and take a 10-8 lead. Jenna Mychko (3 for 5) singled in Kelsey Hagan, who had led off with a walk, and Clemmons drove home Clancy, who had beat out a slap in front of the plate.
After an uneventful sixth inning, Rosary mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh. Schalz led off with a single and a Huntley throwing error on VanBogaert's grounder put runners on second and third. They held there on Classen's hard groundout to first but then, with Ali Keenum at the dish, Tattersall called for a squeeze. Huntley threw to first, allowing Schalz to score, and Tattersall had VanBogaert running all the way with the tying run. She was called out on a close play at the plate to end the game and preserve the sweep for the Red Raiders.
Schalz was the losing pitcher for Rosary in Game 1, allowing just 4 hits. Freshman Audrey Ruddy suffered the loss in Game 2, striking out six but also walking six. She gave up 11 hits.
Hampshire sweeps Rockford Lutheran: With 10 hits and 15 runs, Hampshire opened this nonconference doubleheader with a 15-0 win over Rockford Lutheran in 6 innings before going on to win 18-0 in Game 2.
Ally Kent got the opening victory, allowing no runs on 4 hits while striking out nine.
Katie McBride backed that performance with a 1-hit shutout in Game 2 fanning 12 batters while inside the circle.
Plate efforts were led by Paige Kent (3 hits, 2 doubles), Jordan Moore (4 hits), Megan Roadcap (4 hits, 2 doubles), Tegan Singleton (4 hits), Jessica Kraus (5 hits, 2b, 3b), Kelsey Watson (2 hits), Brittany Hicks (2 hits) and Ally Kent (2 hits).
Dundee-Crown 7, Wheeling 3: With extra base knocks from Kelly Lewis (2b) and Jenny Engels (2b), Dundee-Crown (2-1) earned this nonconference win over Wheeling. Emilie Kerkman had a solid outing in the circle striking out seven en route to the win.
Bartlett takes two from Batavia: Lauren Wydra tallied another no-hitter for the books to help Bartlett open this nonconference double-header with an 11-0 win in 5 innings. The Hawks took Game 2 by the same score.
Wydra fanned 10 batters en route to the no-no while helping herself at the plate going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. Elizabeth Kay went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI.
The big bats didn't stop Bartlett (6-1) nabbed a second 11-0 win. Kay led the way once again going 4-for-4 with 2 doubles, a home run and 4 more RBI. Concetta Lampugnano (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) and Nicole Beck (2-for-3, 2b, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBI) each added strong plate appearances.
Callie Dennison earned the Game 2 win allowing no runs on 3 hits with 2 strikeouts.
"We were throwing some lumber around today," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith. "We had excellent pitching and tremendous hitting. It was a perfect Saturday."
At Prairie Ridge Tournament: Finishing the round robin fashioned tournament 4-0, host Prairie Ridge walked away champions. The Wolves opened with a 12-4 win over Lakes, which they followed up with an 11-2 victory over Elgin. Concluding the day with 35-runs scored, PR picked up a 12-7 closing victory over Cary-Grove.
Erika Trojan was inside the circle for the Game 1 and Game 3 victories giving up 13 hits while fanning eight in a combined 10 innings of work. Trojan helped herself at the plate in Game 3 going 3-for-3.
Facing Lakes, Lex Wachman (2-for-3), Anna Patras (3-for-3) and Lauren Seegers (2-for-4, HR) led the offense.
Johanna Turner (2-0) entered the circle to defeat Elgin, while plate efforts were led by Katie Schillinger (3-for-4), Patras (3-for-3), Wachman (2-for-4) and Seegers (3b).
Ending the day with Fox Valley (Valley) foe Cary-Grove, a fourth inning grand slam off the bat of Patras gave the Wolves some breathing room. Seegers (3-for-4) hit her second home run of the day.
"We scored 35 runs in three games which we haven't done in the past," said Wolves coach Mike Buck. "Even more pleasing was the fact that the girls made just three errors in three games.
"Overall, it was a great tournament."
Cary-Grove takes two at Prairie Ridge Tournament: Cary-Grove (3-2) defeated Elgin (0-5) in 5 innings 14-1. Maggie O'Brien led the Trojans going 3 for 4 with 4 RBI. Kristen Bauer added a double while teammate Mackenzie Vaughn hit a triple as the Trojans combined for 10 hits. Ellen Jesse also went 2 for 3 in Game 1. Julie Clemment received the win striking out 3 with 1 walk and only 2 hits. In Game 2 the Trojans pulled through with another 10 hits combined. Clemment, Katie Burg (2 for 3) and Jesse (1 for 3) each hit a double. Lindsay Fritz and Katie Burg also both went 2 for 3 to help the Trjoans. Bauer (2-0) pitched all 7 innings striking out 4 with 1 walk for the victory. In Game 3 Cary-Grove fell to Prairie Ridge 12-7. Alexis Haley (1 for 3) and Jesse (3 for 4) both led hitting for the Trojans each adding a home run. O'Brien also went 4 for 4 with 2 stolen bases. Clemment (1-1) was in the circle but suffered the loss.
At Palatine: Playing two 5 inning games and collecting 22 runs and 30 hits on the day Jacobs (2-1) managed to snag two victories against Glenbrook North 12-0 and Palatine 10-0. Lauren Arceneaux went 6 for 8 on the day with a triple and a home run. Teammate Lizzy Andrews also went 2 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI. Sarah Jacobson went 2 for 4 with a double against Glenbrook North to help keep Jacobs going. Becky Wilson (1-1) pitched her way past Palatine with 1 strikeout and a walk. Marissa Lombardo (1-0) was the winning pitcher against Glenbrook South collecting 4 strikeouts for her first victory this season.
At Woodstock invite: Crystal Lake South (3-1) came out strong but fell just short as Naperville North defeated the Gators 3-2. Natalie Andrade led for Crystal Lake going 2 for 3 in game 1. Jessica Gable suffered the loss striking out 7 and walking 1. In Game 2 the Gators bounced back to battle Conant in 9 innings for a 1-0 victory. Andrade led in hitting going 3-for-4 with a double. Teammates Megan Hardie (2-for-5) and Samantha Hardie (2-for-4) also contributed to this victory. Emily Mahoney (1-0) pitched all 9 innings striking out 6 and walking 8. Game 3 came as a breeze for the Gators as Crystal Lake South went on to defeat Rockford Jefferson in 5 innings 10-0. Mahoney went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and Michelle Bump was 2 for 3. Gable (2-1) pitched a no-hitter collecting 8 strikeouts in a complete game shutout for the win.