McCleary fans 11 as Royals top Streamwood

In the already young season, Larkin's softball team has tasted tough losses.

The Royals made sure to share the feeling.

After a solid defensive effort all game, Streamwood had an infield error which led to senior pinch-hitter Brittany Heine scoring the winning run in Larkin's 2-1 Upstate Conference victory over the Sabres Tuesday.

The game, which was switched from Streamwood to Larkin due to field conditions, was definitely up for grabs as Heine took her first at-bat in the bottom of the seventh.

"I was shocked that they overthrew it," Heine said. "We've been in games where we lost like this."

Heine reached second on the infield overthrow and then scored a batter later when right fielder Leah Rybakowski beat out a bunt to score Heine and give Larkin (1-2, 1-0) the victory.

"We needed to get a win," said Larkin pitcher Sarah McCleary (1-2). "We've been sticking with a lot of teams, but didn't pull it out."

Streamwood (0-3, 0-1) tied the game when third baseman Jessica LoRusso scored the tying run with 2 outs in the fifth. LoRusso also anchored a Streamwood defense which was playing without 6 starters and had 2 junior varsity call-ups in the starting lineup.

Streamwood had committed just 1 error before the final inning and starting pitcher Barb Posinger (0-3) struck out 5 in the loss.

"Defense stops games, offensive wins them," LoRusso said. "We tried our hardest, but we couldn't come through."

After LoRusso reached base on Streamwood's second hit of the game, the Sabres got runners on both second and third, but McCleary struck out Delaney O'Malley to get Larkin out of the inning in a 1-1 tie.

Streamwood had bases loaded in the fourth inning as well, but could not get a runner across as McCleary struck out the next 2 batters.

"We played pretty good defensively," Streamwood coach Lindsay Mulay said. "We were missing 6 starters, but the girls that did play stepped up on defense. But you can't win games if you don't hit the ball."

Larkin took a 1-0 lead right off the bat after leadoff hitter Ellis Hatchett opened the game with a double. Hatchett, who finished the game 3 for 3, was brought in by McCleary.

After opening the game with a run, the Royals' defense clamped down. Larkin did not commit an error in the game. The Royals left 6 Streamwood runners on base, including runners at third in three seperate innings.

"We've been emphasizing defense," Larkin coach Larry Hight said.