Wrap: Wydra shuts down Storm
Bartlett pitcher Lauren Wydra has never been a counter of strikeouts. But she sure is studious when it comes to knowing her opponent.
Wydra used her riseball to perfection Thursday afternoon, allowing just 3 singles, 2 of them of the infield variety, and striking out 12 to lead the Hawks to a 3-0 Upstate Eight Conference softball win at South Elgin.
"Last time we played South Elgin they swung at my riseball a lot so we went with it a lot today," said Wydra, who improved to 11-2 on the season. "I don't think about strikeouts; I just try to get them to hit the ball."
Not many South Elgin players accomplished that on Thursday and when they did, the Hawks (16-5, 12-0) played errorless defense behind their standout senior. Meanwhile, it was an infield error that helped send the Storm (13-5, 6-5) to their second tough loss in as many days.
With two outs in the top of the third inning, South Elgin booted Rachel Anello's ground ball, allowing both Callie Dennison (infield single) and courtesy runner Katie Popovich to score and give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Popovich wasd running for Wydra, who had singled behind Dennison.
"We weren't as opportunistic as I would have liked us to be today," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith, whose team left 10 runners on base and 5 in scoring position. "(South Elgin) played some good defense; they were throwing some leather around out there."
The Hawks, despite 11 hits, also had their share of problems with South Elgin junior Cary Thereon, who took the circle in place of the injured Rebecca French. Thereon struck out nine and walked two, and was helped out of a tough jam in the fourth inning by some sparkling defense from third baseman Layla Ismajlaj and left fielder Caitie Stredde.
"Cary's pitched great the last two days, we've just given up too many unearned runs," said Storm coach Jason Schaal, whose team has earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A Streamwood regional.
"But overall we played well today against one of the best pitchers in the state. I'm not happy with the loss; no coach is ever happy with a loss. But if we can play like this come regional time, we'll be fine."
Bartlett, the top seed in the Class 4A Schaumburg sectional, added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Dennison beat out another infield hit, went to third on a Wydra double and scored on Anello's seeing-eye single to right.
"A lot of times we tend to rely on Lauren too much," Wolfsmith said of his team's offense. "We need to get to that 7-8 run mark; that's our key."
In addition to French nursing an arm injury that is expected to be temporary, the Storm also played without senior shortstop Stephanie Sanocki, who is out for the season with a broken toe. The Storm did get 2 hits from No. 9 hitter Katelyn Stonecipher.
"It's certainly not an excuse but we are fighting the injury bug a little right now," Schaal said.
Burlington Central 13, North Boone 0: Mackenzie Scott tossed five innings of no-hit ball to lead Burlington Central to this Big Northern East win. Scott's perfect game included no walks and 14 strikeouts as she faced 15 batters. Pounding out 15 hits, the Rocket offense was led by Kayla Oranger (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Samantha Gruner (hit, run, 2 RBI), Brittany Priest (3-for-3, 2 runs, 2 doubles), Erica Maisto (2-for-2), Jessica Herrmann (3b, run, 2 RBI) and Jordan Maisto (2-for-2, 2 runs, RBI).
Jacobs 3, McHenry 0: Timely hitting led by Lauren Arceneaux (2-for-2, 2b) and Lizzie Andrews (2-for-3, 2 doubles) led Jacobs (16-2, 7-0) to this Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win. Kara Arceneaux (7-0) was inside the circle for the victory allowing 3 hits while striking out seven in the complete game effort.
CL South 3, Cary-Grove 2: Trailing 2-0 going into the top of the seventh, Crystal Lake South (13-6, 5-3) plated 3 runs to sneak past Cary-Grove (12-9, 4-4) in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action. Becky Yaworski (2-for-4, 2b, 2 RBI) led the Gator offense, while Jessica Gable (7 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 0 earned) recorded the win. For Cary-Grove, Kelly Smith (2b, run) led the offense. Julie Clement endured the loss despite giving up no earned runs on 6 hits with 1 strikeout.
Prairie Ridge 8, Grayslake Central 3: Behind some solid offense led by Erika Trojan (3-for-4, 3b) and Kelsey Brennan (4-for-4, 2b), Prairie Ridge (12-8, 6-2) earned this Fox Valley Conference Fox Division win. Trojan (6-3) earned the win striking out five.
Huntley 6, CL Central 0: Huntley (14-8, 7-2) nabbed this Fox Valley Conference Fox Division victory behind winning pitcher Kasey Kane (2-0). Kane allowed no runs on 3 hits while striking out four. Leading offensive efforts for the Red Raiders were Jenna Mychko (2-for-2, run, RBI), Amanda Wisniewski (HR, 3 RBI) and Alexys Robbins (2-for-4, RBI, sb).
Harvard 9, Hampshire 0: The Whip Purs (13-9, 3-4) fell to Harvard in the Big Northern East. Ally Kent pitched 5¿ walking 8 and collecting 3 strikeouts. Hampshire combined for 5 hits but remained scoreless all 7 innings.