No. 500 fitting for Stevenson's Friedrichs
When he recorded his 400th win in April of 2008, Stevenson softball coach Larry Friedrichs received an engraved bat from his players.
He got another gift from appreciative players Tuesday.
As the Patriots gathered in the outfield following their 6-5 win over visiting Mundelein in a North Suburban Lake Division battle, senior first baseman Abby O'Connor presented her coach a plaque.
The victory marked No. 500 for Friedrichs.
"April is a good month," he said with a laugh.
This April - this season - has been tough for Stevenson, which has been competitive in most games only to have some misfortune in later innings.
But against Mundelein (10-6, 2-3), the Patriots scored 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth to break a 3-3 tie and hung on for the victory.
O'Connor had a 2-run triple in the fifth. She also smacked an RBI triple earlier in the game. Taylor Koenigs doubled for Stevenson (4-10, 1-4).
Ruby Mankus allowed 4 earned runs in earning the win.
"I'm hoping we turned the corner as a group," Friedrichs said.
Abbey Rosenow homered and doubled for Mundelein. Lauren Fairweather had a double as well for the Mustangs.
Grayslake Central 11, Woodstock 2: The Rams won their seventh game in a row, as Katie Strickland went 3-for-4 with a double, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in the Fox Valley Conference game.
Grayslake Central (12-5, 3-0) received 2 hits apiece from Juliana Frusolone (double, RBI), Skyler Long (3 RBI) and Kaleigh Snyder (2 RBI). Teagan Truskowski doubled and knocked in a run, while winning pitcher Reagen Radke allowed 1 earned run in 7 innings with 8 strikeouts.
Libertyville 9, Warren 3: The Wildcats rebounded from back-to-back seventh-inning losses, as Jamie Stevens went 3-for-4 with a double and 4 RBI in the North Suburban Lake game.
Haley Alban was 2-for-3 with a double for Libertyville (15-2, 4-1), while Madi Dembinski and Kenzie Rother each had a single and an RBI for the Wildcats.
Warren (9-6, 4-2) got 2 hits from Michelle Vasen.
Wauconda 7, Lakes 2: Kayla Wedl struck out 10, didn't walk a batter and did not allow an earned run, as the visiting Bulldogs won the North Suburban Prairie contest.
Wedl and Lauren Nee (double) each went 2-for-4. Sarah Ricci drove in 2 runs with a double for Wauconda (14-1, 5-0), while Jena Heck had an RBI double. Paige Motley tripled for the Bulldogs.
Lakes fell to 4-1 in the NSC Prairie.
Grant 3, Antioch 0: Caitlyn Moran fired a 3-hit shutout, striking out eight and walking one.
Bri Dreschler doubled twice for Grant (5-5, 3-2), and Kaitlyn Wold had a double as well. McKenzie Sancken was 3-for-4, while Dreschler finished 2-for-3. Moran helped her own cause by going 2-for-4.
Antioch dropped to 3-2 in the NSC Prairie.
Vernon Hills 9, Round Lake 1: Dana Meline went 2-for-4 with a triple, double, 4 RBI and 2 runs scored for the host Cougars in the North Suburban Prairie contest.
Vernon Hills (4-12, 2-3) received a double, single and 2 RBI from Rose Ferolo. Sami Saliba walked three times and stole two bases, and winning pitcher Carly Stern struck out eight in a complete-game performance.
Grayslake North 5, Johnsburg 2: Mariah Gentile and Jenny Moore (2 RBI) were both 3-for-3 for the Knights in the Fox Valley Conference game.
Rebecca Sosa was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, and Nikki Livengood struck out 11 in a complete-game effort.