Scott, Rockets roll

On a day when junior Mackenzie Scott didn't exactly have her best stuff in the pitcher's circle, Burlington Central's bats warmed up more than the weather.

The Rockets, ranked No. 2 in this week's ICA Class 3A state poll, pounded out 12 hits off three Marengo pitchers Monday afternoon and downed the Indians 10-5 in the Big Northern East opener for both teams at Marengo.

"It's so hard to get focused in the cold weather, but you can't use that as an excuse," said BC junior leadoff hitter Kayla Oranger. We need the big hits when we have runners on base and today we got them."

Coming off their first loss of the season, 1-0 to Byron on Friday, the Rockets broke out of their offensive slump in a big way in the third and fourth innings Monday off Marengo senior ace Sarah Steinman and reliever Dana Diedrick.

Central (8-1, 1-0) sent 17 batters to the plate in those two innings, scoring 9 runs on 8 hits. Oranger started both rallies, dumping a single into left field to lead off the third, then sneaking a one-out double past Marengo's shifted defense in the fourth. She finished the day 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored and 2 stolen bases.

"That's the best game she's had in a while and we need that consistency from her," said Central coach Scot Sutherland.

Junior Lindsay Lange (2-for-4, 3 RBI) had the hit to open things up in the third, stroking a two-out single up the middle to score Oranger and Brooke Porto, who had walked.

"She's come up with some runners on and sent it to the wall for us a couple of times this year," Sutherland said of Lange. "That was nice to see again."

Senior Erica Maisto (2-for-4) then cranked an RBI double to left-center and she scored on Abby Morrow's single.

Marengo (6-3, 0-1) scored 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the inning but the Rockets came back with 4 more in the top of the fourth as Porto and Morrow (2-for-3, 3 RBI) each had 2-run doubles. Sam Gruner (2-for-3) then drove in the Rockets' final run in the fifth.

"That's what we needed," said Sutherland. "It was good to see our 4-5 hitters getting some extra base hits."

Scott (3 earned runs) struck out 15 but allowed 5 hits, walked 5 and hit a batter while struggling a bit with her control. Marengo left 9 runners on base.

-- John Radtke

Rosary 3, Montini 0: Royals starter Kylie Schalz threw a perfect game, as the Royals improved to 2-0 in the SCC. She struck out 13 batters and hit a 2-run homer in the third.

West Aurora 2, West Chicago: The Blackhawks (10-0) pulled out the win, despite not getting one base hit over 7 innings. Stephanie Becker scattered 5 hits in the complete game and fanned 11 Wildcats. For West Chicago (4-3), Mary Connory had 17 strikeouts.

Batavia 13, Yorkville 3: The Bulldogs (3-6) won their conference opener. Kelsey Phalen went 3-for-5 with a double and Kelly Coleman had 3 RBI.

Kaneland 13, Wheaton Academy 0: The Knights (6-1) knocked 7 doubles and scored all their runs in the first two innings. Erica Kendrick and Jackie Smith each hit two doubles and drove in four baserunners.

Baseball

West Aurora 3, Glenbard East 2: Chris Richter's sixth-inning RBI double lifted the Blackhawks (7-5, 1-3) to a DVC win. DJ Smith had 3 hits and Will Fuentes won his third game of the year.

St. Charles East 5, Larkin 0: Mark Proust nailed a two-run homer in the third inning and had 3 RBI for the game. Tyler Deetjen pitched the distance, allowed 4 hits, and struck out 13. The Saints improved to 3-6-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the UEC.

Batavia 18, DeKalb 2: The Bulldogs blew the game open with 10 runs in the fourth. Brian Krolikowski batted 2-for-4 with a 3-run homer and had 5 RBI. Shane Holl added a 2-run homer and Alex Beckmann batted 3-for-4 with a double.

Geneva 9, Yorkville 5: Kevin Massoth had a double and 3 RBI while Cory Hofstetter homered for the Vikings (9-2, 3-2).

Glenbard South 5, Kaneland 4: The Knights led 2-0 after two innings, but the Raiders scored four in the sixth and one in the seventh. Brian Claesson went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

St. Francis 3, Aurora Central Catholic 2: Nick Czaja battled through five innings for the Chargers (8-3, 1-2), striking out 11. He also had a double and an RBI.

Boys tennis

St. Charles East 4, Batavia 3: The Saints and Bulldogs split the four doubles matches, but the Saints (3-3, 2-1) took two of three singles to take the win on Batavia. Paul Reiff won first singles 6-3, 7-5 and Ryan McNally took third singles in three sets. For the Bulldogs (3-2), Jimmy Hebert won second singles 6-0, 7-5 and Russ Reilly and Mike Romano won second doubles.

St. Charles North 7, Larkin 0: Andrew Davis and Pat Corrigan both won 12 of 13 games in their respective singles matches. David Johnson and Christian Hoskey teamed to win first doubles 6-3, 6-0.

Marmion 6, East Aurora 1: Tom Weiler and Luke Brandt both shut out their opponents in singles matches.

Boys lacrosse

St. Charles 7, Libertyville 6: In their home opener, St. Charles (3-1) pulled out a tight win by holding their opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter. Chad Ellis scored 4 goals and Sean Brogan added a pair of assists.

Girls soccer

Kaneland 3, Plainfield North 0: In what Kaneland coach Scott Parillo called "the biggest win of the year," the Knights topped their nonconference opponent at home.

"This was absolutely huge for the program," Parillo said.

Emily Heimerdinger posted a hat trick and Sophie Blank stopped 15 shots and posted her second consecutive shutout.

The win also improved the Knights to 4-4 overall and 4-0 at home.

Oswego 1, West Aurora 0: After winning their first seven games, the Blackhawks suffered their first loss of the year.

Men's baseball

Aurora 13-12, Wisconsin Lutheran 2-4: Josh Damore and Martin Diaz both collected five hits for the day and Diaz, Tony Wellner, Matt Anklam, and David Warner all homered for the Spartans (14-10). Casey Friend and Dennis Vietoris picked up the wins on the mound.

Women's softball

Aurora 12-11, Alverno 0-0: The Spartans are 19-5 on the year and 12-0 in the NAC. For the day, Dana Cebular batted 5-for-6 and scored five runs. Abby Young was 2-for-2 with three runs scored in the opener. In the second game, Nicole Capone pitched the distance, allowing 3 hits and striking out five.

Waubonsee 9-8, Oakton 5-10: Jami Swenson batted 4-for-5 and stole 5 bases in Game 1. Amanda Balough, Cheryl Smick, and Sam Ingo all had 3 hits each for the Chiefs (8-10, 3-1). Haley Secor homered in Game 2.