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Eventually, Palatine wins at The Dome

After dropping a tough 8-7 decision to Grant in the comforts of The Dome at Rosemont on Friday afternoon, Palatine's softball team got another opportunity to play a second game against Evanston in the 72-degree indoor temperatures.

The Pirates took full advantage by rolling to a 12-2 victory for their first win of the season.

Senior third baseman Jamie Haze had her bat rolling, going 2-for-3 with a RBI triple and RBI single.

"Our defense was pretty solid in the second game, especially with Victoria (Parrott, a sophomore) at short," Haze said. "She did a really good job. Our infield and outfield were great at communicating the whole time. And I couldn't be prouder of our catcher."

Junior Sam Muzzapappa made her varsity debut behind the plate and caught all 12 innings for the Pirates.

On the mound, senior Jules Udoni (1-0) notched the Pirates' first win. She threw the first four innings, striking out five and walking none while giving up 3 hits.

Senior Dominique Boisvert threw the final inning, striking out two.

The Pirates (1-1) collected 12 hits in the game, with 9 of them coming from the first four batters in the order - Nora Walsh (2-for-4), Grace Rohrwasser (3-for-4), Haze and Courtney English (2-for-4).

Udoni, senior Katie Angelaccio and senior Shannon Surell each had 1 hit for the winners.

Against Grant, senior Emily Plesnicar went 2-for-3 for Palatine while junior Ellie Kozlowski belted a triple in her first varsity game.

"After three weeks of practice, to be that close in our first game I'm real proud," Haze added. "And then we came back in the second game and really scored some runs. We got the win and it was a good day."

Angelaccio, Plesnicar, Kozlowski and sophomore Emily Griffin all recorded their first varsity hits on Friday.

"In both games, our slap hitters set the tone," said Palatine coach Jeff Manz. "Nora (Walsh) and Grace (Rohrwasser) did a fantastic job putting pressure on the defense. And I thought our infield defense was fantastic."

Taking advantage of singles by Walsh and Haze along with 3 walks and 1 error, the Pirates scored 5 runs in the first inning against Evanston (0-1) and never looked back.

"Once we learn how to finish innings, we'll be successful" Manz said. "But even in our first game, we showed a lot of competitiveness. We didn't quit."

Prospect 12, Maine East 1 (5 inn.): Playing on the new all-artificial turf at the Wheeling Park District facility, Prospect got its first win by the 10-run rule in five innings.

Maine East struck first in the top of the first but the Knights answered by batting around the order for 5 runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Rachel Trebswether (4-for-4, 3 runs, RBI) and Emma Riordan (2-for-4, 2 runs) each singled to start the rally.

Ally Schuldt (3-for-3, 2 doubles) belted a RBI double to score Trebswether to tie the game.

Casey Lenski (3-for-3, triple, double, 5 RBI) followed with a blast off the 280-foot wall in left center to score Riordan and Schuldt for a 3-1 lead.

Delilah Malczewski then produced a RBI single to score Lenski and Emma Gilhooly tripled to bring home Malczewski for the 5-1 cushion.

Prospect added 3 more runs in the second.

"We've still got some things to work on, but I thought we did pretty well," said Prospect coach Jim Adair. "It was a very happy bus ride home and that's great to see. The weather was pretty cold but we played in a lot worse last year.

"The Wheeling Park District has done an awesome job putting together one of the best facilities around."

Malczewski notched the win by tossing a 4-hitter with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks.

"It was great to open the season by hitting the ball so hard but I'm also impressed with the defense and communication we had out there," Adair said. " I also thought Delilah did pretty well in her first start. She kept the game under control."

Hersey wins, ties: Playing at The Dome in Rosemont, Hersey defeated Niles North 9-8, then settled for a 6-6 tie when the time limit expired in the second game. At the time, Hersey had runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the sixth.

Huskies freshman Kaitlyn Denton made her varsity debut in Game 1 and struck out 10 while earning the win.

"Michelle Helminski, Angela Schmiederer and Alysia Zaucha (all seniors) had great days," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman. "And Katie Wingerter (freshman shortstop) was outstanding in the field. She played like a senior."

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