Geneva 1, Batavia 0

The Geneva softball team began this week with a pair of back-to-back losses to St. Charles East and Glenbard South.

The Vikings, however, took a turn for the better, as they beat Western Sun Conference foe Kaneland Wednesday, followed by a big win Thursday, when they topped another conference rival Batavia, 1-0, in Geneva.

"We've hit our lowest lows and our highest highs this week," said Geneva coach Greg Dierks, whose team improved to 6-6 overall, 3-1 in the WSC. "Obviously, it means a lot to get the win and a conference win along with it."

The lone run of the game arrived in the bottom of the sixth. Leadoff batter Nikki Davis ended up on second after two Batavia players collided and dropped the ball she hit to short left-center.

"Miscommunication," Batavia coach Leon Pedraza said of the Bulldogs' sole error of the game. "We have girls out there who are very aggressive, and I can't fault them for that. Being aggressive and going after the ball is what we want. What we are going to have to work on is who is calling that."

Davis advanced to third on Danielle Caprile's sacrifice bunt and scored on Dee Phalon's RBI single.

"It felt great, especially against Batavia, of course," Phalon said of her game-winning hit. "It felt good."

The game also turned out to pitcher's duel between two freshmen -- Geneva's Kelly McCaffrey and Batavia's Brooke Nelson.

McCaffrey improved to 5-3 after striking out 10, allowing 6 hits and walking none.

"Kelly came out and threw a great game today," said Phalon, McCaffrey's catcher. "She came out throwing harder than I've ever caught for her before. She hit her spots really well and everything was working great."

"She's very composed, and she's really doing a great job," Dierks added on McCaffrey.

Nelson (2-4) was pitching a no-hitter through the first 4 innings. She ended up striking out three, walked one and allowed 3 hits in the final two innings.

"(Nelson) did an outstanding job," Pedraza said. "She's been outstanding both on the mound and at the plate."

"I thought Nelson pitched a great game," Dierks added. "For two freshmen on the mound for their first Geneva/Batavia games, I thought they both pitched great games."

The closest the Bulldogs (4-7, 2-1) came to scoring was in the third inning. Alexa Schofield would have reached home from first, but Kelsey Phalen's barely-foul triple was called back.