Burlington Central opens season with sweep
The Burlington Central softball team ushered in the Wade Maisto era Part II by traveling to downstate Jacksonville and sweeping Chicago Christian 5-1 and 10-0 Saturday.
Freshman Emily Kisch had a big day for Burlington Central, going 6-for-6 with a home run, a double and 2 RBI.
“She went 6-fot-6, she pitched two strong innings in the second game and she didn’t make an error at shortstop,” said Maisto of Kisch. “And, she hit her first home run over the fence in her life. I’d say it was a pretty nice start to her high school career.”
Angie Morrow picked up the win for the Rockets in the opener, allowing 2 hits with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk in 6 innings of work. Kisch was 4-for-4 with 2 runs scores and a double, Rebecca Roscher had a double and Lauren King drove in a run.
In the second game, Brooke Gaylord allowed just 1 hit with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk in 3 innings. King had a 3-run homer, Kelly Wiater 2 RBI and Kisch was 2-for-2 with a home run and 2 RBI.
Maisto also lauded the play of Wiater, who caught all 12 innings as junior Bekah Harnish had to miss the trip with the flu.
“My freshman catcher really stepped up and did a nice job of handling the pitchers today,” Maisto said.
“It was a good start. It was nice to get out and play and see some things.”
The Rockets return to action Thursday with a doubleheader at Bloomington Central Catholic, then travel to Edwardsville for a twin bill on Friday.
South Elgin goes 2-2: South Elgin played four games Saturday at the Lone Oak tournament in Paducah, Ky., going 2-2 and losing in the tournament semifinals.
The Storm, 4-2 for the weekend, lost to Livingston County of Kentucky 5-3, beat St. Mary’s (Ky.) 8-2 and Paducah Tillman 12-1 then fell to Riedland, Ky., 9-4 in the semifinals.
In the loss to Livingston County, Alyssa Buddle was 3-for-3 with a double for the Storm, which started the season 0-7 last year on its spring trip to Tennessee. Paige Allen took the loss in the circle.
Against St. Mary’s, Demi Queen was 2-for-2 with a double and 2 RBI to lead the offense, while winning pitcher Katie Koss, Allen and Victoria Watt each had doubles.
Senior Kara Rodriguez, who had to have stitches in her leg after being spiked during the first game on Friday, went 3-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBI in the win over Paducah Tillman. Cassidy Westlund was 2-for-2 with an RBI, Buddle had a triple and Allen 2 RBI. Taylor Rees was the winning pitcher, allowing no earned runs with 2 strikeouts and no walks.
In the semifinal loss, Buddle went 2-for-3 with a homer and 3 RBI and Watt was 2-for-2. Allen suffered the pitching loss.
“We got to play and it was good to play,” said Storm coach Jason Schaal. “Overall the team had a good time and we can take a lot of positives from this. Hopefully we’ll get some games in when we get home and keep the momentum going.”
South Elgin is scheduled to play at Glenbard East on Wednesday.