Love has another big day for Dundee-Crown

In the four seasons Melany Love has been at Dundee-Crown, the senior hasn’t seen the kind of offensive balance the Chargers have this season.

Eight of the nine D-C starters had at least one hit Thursday as the Chargers pounded out 13 hits in a 12-2 five-inning victory over Woodstock in Fox Valley Conference crossover softball action in Carpentersville.

“I am so excited because everyone is stepping up. It’s something I haven’t seen in the four years I’ve been here,” Love said. “I really like this group.”

Love went 4-for-4 with a solo home run and 3 runs scored. Amanda Eissler was 2-for-2 with 2 walks, a triple, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Jessica Lewandowski also had 2 hits and 2 RBI.

“We hitting more consistently in games,” Chargers coach Tracy Beatty said. “I’m seeing us with better hitting throughout our lineup as well.”

Woodstock (5-15) got a leadoff triple to open the game from Katelyn Johnson, who scored on a groundout for a 1-0 lead. The Chargers (7-12) answered with 3 runs in the first with RBI from Eissler, Lauren Mercado and Cinthia Collingbourne. They added 5 runs in the bottom of the second for an 8-1 lead.

Kara McCaughrean tripled home Johnson in the third to get Woodstock within 8-2. Love hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third and Mallory Schilf, who doubled, scored on a fielder’s choice in the fourth for a 10-2 D-C lead.

In the fifth, Love scored on a wild pitch and Mandy Moore scored on a Lewandowski single to center to end the game.

“(Wednesday) we were working on our timing because we were a little off the last time we faced a slower pitcher,” Love said. “I think that helped a lot.”

Love also earned the victory in the circle. She allowed 3 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned. The right-hander walked 1 and struck out 5.

Woodstock’s Rachel Lohmeyer allowed 10 hits and 10 runs, 7 earned, in 3 innings in suffering the loss.