Cary-Grove has no problem with CL South

Posted April 16, 2010 11:00 pm

By Dave Hess

Freshman Lindsay Efflandt was masterful in the pitchers circle while Emma Gaulke provided the offensive fireworks.

Aided by 8 Crystal Lake South errors, Cary-Grove clicked on all cylinders in posting an impressive 11-0 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division softball win over the visiting Gators in Cary Friday afternoon.

"We played very well today and we are really clicking as a team," said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. "We are playing defense with discipline and everybody is swinging the bat well. Lindsay was mixing her pitches well and pitched a great game."

Efflandt, who induced Gator batters to hit into 6 groundouts, struck out three while walking one. She blanked South on 2 singles in 5 innings of work.

"My screwball and changeup were really working and I was able to hit my spots," said Efflandt. "I was really nervous and came out with a lot of adrenaline. I was able to calm down and pitch my game. I can just pitch my game because our defense is excellent. They make all the plays."

Offensively, the Trojans (10-3, 4-0) scored 11 runs on 11 hits, which included an 8-run explosion in the fourth inning.

Gaulke led the Trojans' offensive onslaught with a long 2-run homer in the fourth and a sacrifice fly in the first while driving in 3 runs.

"It felt good when the ball left the bat," Gaulke said of the homer. "It was a fastball and I got it all. As a team, we are really swinging the bats well."

Other offensive contributors for the Trojans, who host top-ranked Fremd in a doubleheader today, were Efflandt with 2 hits and 2 RBI while Sarah Leudo collected 2 doubles and an RBI. Colette Roth and Amy Palminteri drove in 2 runs each for the winners.

Vikki Pyan and Hannah Mahoney had singles for the Gators (5-4, 1-3).

"We are nine games into the season and I don't think we can use the excuse we are a young team anymore," said South coach Scott Busam. "We are practicing well, but it is not translating into good play in game situations. We are preparing to win, but we are not growing as a team. I take the blame for that. I am frustrated and confused because we have good players."