Sweeney, Viator defense put clamps on Prospect

St. Viator's Julie Sweeney tossed her first shutout of the softball season Friday afternoon.

But the junior right-hander was hardly ready to take the credit for the Lions' 5-0 nonconference victory over visiting Prospect.

"It wasn't me shutting them down," she said. "They are a real good hitting team. I don't think I've seen our defense play as well as it did in a long time."

"St. Viator played great defense," said Prospect coach Brenda Martin. "They made some stellar plays to keep us off the bases."

Senior Bridget Urbanus' solo homer in the first inning proved to be the only run Viator would need.

"We really had the attitude we wanted to win this game," said Urbanus, who has 2 homers this spring and 3 for her career. "In my four years on varsity, this is the first time we defeated Prospect."

Sweeney (4-1) got 2 insurance runs in the third inning when she and Alexandra Flasch each reached base on RBI fielder's choices.

Other top hitters for coach Dan Twarog's Lions (7-1) were Abby Dickey (2-for-4) and Torey Lenart (2-for-2).

Prospect sophomore Hanna Lythberg (0-2) struck out four.

"Hanna did a nice job," Martin said.

"They didn't hit a lot of balls out of the infield except for the home run.

"We're young and this group will come along. It might take half of the season. These kids won't give up. It's one of the most talented groups we've had."

Junior Sam Mangrum tripled for the Knights (1-3), while Amanda Mlikan and Mary Styzek had their other hits.

Fremd 17, Jacobs 1 (5 innings): Senior Lena Brottman (6-0) fired a 2-hitter with 7 strikeouts and no walks in a nonconference win over host Jacobs (1-2).

The Vikings (6-0), who had a season-high 18 hits, were led on offense by Lauren Zaworski (3-for-4, home run, double, 3 runs, 3 RBI), Kristine Werling (2-for-5, 1 run), Jenny Schneider (2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Kelly Voigt (3-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI, triple, double), Alexa Cinquegrani (2-for-2, 2 runs, RBI), Tess Dinterman (2-for-3, home run, 3 RBI, 1 run) and Emily Janes (double).

Rolling Meadows 4, Maine South 3: Freshman Sara Brunlieb (2-0) got the win and a save for the visiting Mustangs.

Meadows (4-2) was led on offense by freshman Sam Anderson (2-for-4, RBI), senior Maryclare Loughery (3-for-4) and sophomore Josie Suchecki (2-for-4, RBI).

Juniors Abby Matayka and Emily Skorin also had RBI for the winners.

Brunlieb pitched 52/3 innings, striking out three and giving up 3 hits. Suchecki threw 11/3 innings.

The Mustangs took the lead for good in the sixth inning when Anderson's one-out double scored sophomore Natalie Cannizzo to make it 3-2.

Loughery extended her school-record hitting streak to 23 games.