Grayslake Central falls twice in Florida

Grayslake Central’s softball team suffered a pair of losses, including one in extra innings, in Florida on Tuesday.

After managing just 3 hits in a 9-0 loss to Walker Valley (Tenn.), the Rams dropped a 2-1 decision in eight innings to the same team.

In Game 2, Grayslake Central scored its lone run in the top of the fifth on Sarah Kuligowski’s sacrifice fly. Anna Strickland had led off the inning with a walk. She took second on Taylor Peterson’s bunt and advanced to third on Amber Hozey’s groundout.

Walker Valley scored the tying run in the sixth and plated the winning run in the eighth on a base hit off Tayler Janda. The Rams had stranded the go-ahead run on third base in the top half of the inning.

“Both teams played great defense all game,” Grayslake Central coach Abbey Tadelman said.

Vernon Hills loses twice: In Gulf Shores, Ala., the Cougars suffered a 3-2 loss to Buckhorn before falling to Opelika 5-3.

Jenn Claussen went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and run scored against Buckhorn, while Jordyn Comitor also had a hit and run scored. Vernon Hills coach Steve Korney called it the best game his team has played “all around” this season.

Against Opelika, Vernon Hills (2-4) got a single and 2 RBI from Anya Mollenhauer. Megan Meline (1-for-1) also had an RBI, while Sami Freibrun contributed a single, stolen base and run scored.