Liberty perfect in Springfield

The Lake County Liberty, 18U A-level member of the Lake County Fastpitch Softball Association, went undefeated at the recent Midland Magic Summer Showcase held at the University of Illinois Springfield softball complex.

Despite some inclement weather, dozens of college coaches attended the tournament, which featured more than 70 teams from eight different states.

The Liberty began by beating the host Midland Magic 10-4 behind the complete-game pitching of Sam Kozenski (Antioch). KC Dunne (Buffalo Grove), Jackie Kisman (Crystal Lake Central) and Shannon Lauret (Zion-Benton) each had multiple hits. Brittany York (Crystal Lake Central), Alex Booker (Warren), Kisman and Dunne had 2 RBI apiece. Kisman also swiped 2 bases and added a double, and York blasted a long home run off the scoreboard in left. Sara Jacobson (Jacobs) scored 3 runs.

Next the Liberty faced the Indy Dreams Gold. Scoring in each of the first three innings, the Liberty went on to a 4-1 victory. Jess Munda (Zion-Benton) earned the victory in the circle, while Booker and Megan Gier (McHenry) paced the offense with 2 hits each. Booker led off the game with a triple and scored on Kisman's single. Jacobson scored a run and Sarah Clauser (Warren) added a double for Lake County.

In the final game of the rain-shortened event, the Liberty bested the Indiana Shockwaves 3-1. Kozenski picked up the win and Munda earned the save. Booker's third-inning triple drove in Lauret for the Liberty's first run, and Kisman and Clauser crossed the plate in the Liberty sixth to round out the scoring. York had 2 hits, including a double. Clauser added an RBI and a stolen base.