St. Charles North's bats, gloves working in unison against East

If only every player could slump like St. Charles North junior Taylor Russell.

For most, a slump means seeing your average dip to .200. Lots of strikeouts. Removed for a pinch-hitter. Perhaps losing your job.

For Russell, it means watching your average "plummet" to .534.

That's where it stood entering St. Charles North's second meeting with St. Charles East this season, down from the blistering .690 pace she was on a few weeks ago.

Only a diving stab by Saints shortstop Jenny Niemiec in Russell's final at-bat prevented a 4-for-4 day for Russell in the North Stars' 10-3 victory.

JuliaClare Plezbert also had 3 hits for the North Stars while Annie Korth and Amanda Ciran contributed 2 each to their 13-hit attack.

"I was just trying to hit the ball hard because lately I've been struggling," Russell said. "I have been hitting it on the handle instead of the sweet spot."

North Stars coach April Stary said the reason for the slide - besides the obvious that nobody can keep hitting at the ridiculous clip Russell started at - is that teams have started to pitch Russell much more carefully.

"I think the pitchers are just getting smarter with her," Stary said. "When you put anyone in the four spot, everyone knows her well enough that you can't give her anything down the middle."

St. Charles North (27-3, 16-1), which can clinch a share of its second straight Upstate Eight title by beating Lake Park today, fell behind 1-0 in the first.

Mary Kate Brooks singled off Amanda Engel (11-2) to open the game, moved to third on a bunt and infield hit before scoring on a wild pitch.

Niemiec, who had 9 assists at shortstop, fired home to catcher Rae Anne Payleitner to keep the North Stars off the scoreboard in the first inning. The Saints (17-15, 11-8) also threw out two runners at the plate in their Tuesday win over Lake Park.

"She's (Niemiec) our captain, she is our leader, we go as she goes," Saints coach Kelly Horan said.

The North Stars took the lead for good with 2 runs in the second. Ciran singled home the first and Kristin Damm's groundout scored the second.

Russell's single started a 2-out rally in the third. Ashley Seering also singled, and both scored on Korth's double. Plezbert followed with a single that plated Korth for a 5-1 lead.

St. Charles East missed its chance to keep pace by stranding 4 runners in scoring position in the first three innings.

"We are a good hitting team," Horan said. "We get one, two more timely hits it is a whole different ballgame."

The North Stars did the rest, turning double plays that ended the fourth and fifth innings. That included a 1-6-3 twin killing when Engel threw to shortstop Natalie Capone who made a perfect turn to Plezbert.

Right fielder Seering ended the third inning by catching a shot on the line that looked like it would go for extra bases when the ball left Steph Roan's bat.

"It was what I expect. Making plays," Stary said. "It's nice to get those and turn a couple."

"Fielding has always been my strong suit as far as my drilling and making sure they can make the plays. Us shutting them down is what I expect. They were on top of their game, they did very well."

Roan put the Saints on the board again in the sixth with a 2-run home run to right, her third of the year. By that time the North Stars had built their lead to 9-1 with a 4-run fifth inning.

Plezbert drove home two of the runs with a 2-run single to right. Ciran just missed a home run with a double off the left field wall. "I focus on making contact, putting the bat on the ball and make them make plays," Plezbert said.

"We are just on and we are working together very well this year. You can really tell the teamwork we put together in every practice, hard work, dedication. We really enjoy playing the game and it shows."

Brooks had 2 of the Saints' 7 hits against Engel, who struck out six and walked three.

The teams could meet a third time if both win their regional openers next week at Willowbrook.

"Behind the plate we had one of our best defensive games," Horan said. "There were some really good performances. Obviously not enough but we will keep working and hopefully we get to see them again."