Downers North shuts out Willowbrook for 10th straight triumph

Kendall Ryndak says freshman Elaine Heflin is Downers Grove North's strikeout pitcher.

Ryndak sure looked the part Tuesday.

The Trojans junior struck out 13 and Downers Grove North beat Willowbrook 10-0 in Villa Park for their 10th straight win.

"Elaine and I, we're very different pitchers, but we are effective as a whole," Ryndak said. "She's more about speed and strikeouts; I'm more a groundball pitcher. That's the best thing to have, is two very different pitchers. I'm not usually one to get a lot of strikeouts, but it's always good to have them on your record."

Downers Grove North coach Mark Magro can't lose deciding which pitcher to throw these days. Heflin already has 95 strikeouts - including 20 two weeks ago against Prospect and 15 Monday versus York. Third-year starter Ryndak (5-2) has thrown three shutouts.

"They keep us in all the games," Magro said. "Even when they're not on they keep us in all the games."

Willowbrook (6-9), with three sophomores and a junior in its starting lineup, had its struggles with pitch selection. Nicole Interrante did manage a two-out double in the fourth, one of 4 Warriors' hits, and Willowbrook put a pair of runners on in the sixth.

"We're like two different teams right now," Warriors coach Rachel Karos said. "We either look like the best team out there or we play our age. Consistency-wise, we're just not where we need to be right now."

Ryndak was the beneficiary of Downers Grove North's biggest run production of the season, the second time the Trojans (11-3) have scored 10 runs.

After a two-out Ryndak double in the first inning Katie Hunsinger connected for a 2-run homer to left. Jenna Gonzales added a 2-run shot in the third to make it 4-0. Ryndak later singled in 2 runs in the fifth.

"They're responding," said Magro, pointing out that his whole starting outfield is suffering from injuries or mononucelosis. "They're hitting the ball and we've had great pitching."

Downers Grove North will put its win streak to the test today when the Trojans travel to perennial West Suburban Silver heavyweight Oak Park. They also host No. 4 Glenbard South on Saturday and No. 5 Downers Grove South next Tuesday.

"We're growing as a team. We have so much potential," Ryndak said. "Oak Park is always one of our big rivals, and we always want to beat them because they've won conference, like, 10 years in a row. This is our year."