St. Edward gets first win for Corn
To say the first six games of her varsity softball coaching career have been frustrating for Jaci Corn would be an understatement.
One swing of Tarah McShane’s bat changed all that Wednesday.
McShane hit a walk off grand slam home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift St. Edward to a 7-3 win over Rosary in a Suburban Christian Blue contest at the Elgin Sports Complex, giving Corn her first win as a head varsity softball coach.
“We came with our bats today in the first inning and that really set the tone,” said Corn, the former Elgin High, ECC and Judson standout. “We brought the energy from the get-go and kept it to the very end, and then Tarah came through for us big-time.”
McShane, a Valparaiso recruit, was 2-for-4 with 5 RBI on the day, while Ana Dominguez added an RBI for the Green Wave (1-6, 1-1). Kali Kossakowski scored 2 runs.
Winning pitcher Sarah Field allowed 8 hits, 2 earned runs and had 6 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Corn hopes that now her team can keep the winning attitude.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” Corn said. “There have definitely been a lot of frustrating points. It’s a relief to get that first win and it takes some pressure off my shoulders as well as the girls’. Hopefully we can use this as momentum to go get another one at Chicago Christian (today).”
Huntley 2, Crystal Lake South 1 (8 innings): Freshman Ashley Laxner recorded the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Red Raiders (5-7, 2-1) to a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division victory over the visiting Gators. Randi Peterson knocked in Huntley’s other run and went 2-for-3 on the day. Liz Adams (2-for-4, double) and Sam Golf (1-for-4, walk) paced the Gators (8-3, 1-2) offensively. Taylor Larson (4-6) earned the victory in the circle as she scattered 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out six in the complete-game effort. Hannah Mahoney was the tough-luck loser for the Gators as she gave up 7 hits and 5 walks while striking out 10.
Jacobs 7, Dundee-Crown 0: The Golden Eagles started off strong and never looked back as they defeated the Chargers in this FVC Valley game. Amanda Eissler, Shelby Spjuth, and Tiffany Rawlinson each recorded singles for the Chargers while Kelsey Petersen (2), Kara Arceneaux, Jenna Teson, and Nicky Chapa each recorded singles for the Golden Eagles. Amber Livingston earned the victory as she scattered 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 10.
Streamwood 10, East Aurora 0 (5 innings): The Sabres (2-9, 1-3) jumped ahead to a 9-0 lead after three innings and scored again in the bottom of the fifth to easily defeat East Aurora in the Upstate Eight. Jen Mellenthin (3-for-3, 2 RBI), Bri Bogdajewicz (3-for-3, 3 runs), and Dana Kowalowski (1-for-1, RBI) all turned in perfect plate performances. Kaitlyen Hedger, making her first varsity start, earned the victory as she threw all 5 innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out five.
Cary-Grove 17, McHenry 1: The Trojans (10-1, 3-0) exploded for 8 runs in the top of the seventh inning to earn an easy victory over McHenry in this FVC Valley game. Emma Gaulke (4-for-6, 2B), Lisa Semro (3-for-5, HR), and Alexis Haley (4-for-4, 2B) paced the Trojans offensively while Taylor Dunne also added a double. Lindsay Efflandt (8-1) threw the complete-game, 4-hitter as she walked just one and struck out nine.
Neuqua Valley 5, Elgin 1: The Maroons (11-5, 1-4) were unable to pick up an Upstate Eight Conference victory as they gave up 4 runs in the top of the seventh to suffer the loss. Elizabeth Gorski knocked in the Maroons’ lone run as she went 1-for-3. Jennah Perryman (5-3) took the loss allowing 6 hits, 1 walk and 2 earned runs while striking out five in 7 innings of work.
Westminster Christian 17, Lake Forest Academy 5 (5 innings): The Warriors (4-4) were tied 5-5 after two innings of play before exploding for 11 runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach and earn the victory. Katie Moeller (2 RBI) and Andrea Walsh (3 RBI) each recorded a multihit game with 2 hits. Moeller (3-3) also earned the victory in the circle as she threw 4 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 4 walks while striking out six.