Elements intervene in as Catalano, Carli excel

Rain and lightning prevented the conclusion of Monday's softball game between Glenbard South and Neuqua Valley, and the postponement also put an end to what was turning into a dandy pitchers' duel.

The visiting Raiders and the host Wildcats took a scoreless tie into the fifth inning before the game was delayed by lightning in Naperville. After waiting the required 30 minutes to resume play, more lightning was sighted in the area and the coaches decided to postpone the game.

Before weather stopped play, Wildcats starter Kristin Catalano and Raiders starter Taylor Carli each tossed four scoreless innings in the nonconference battle. Carli held Neuqua Valley (15-10) to just two first-inning singles, while Catalano needed to work out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the third to keep the score 0-0.

Glenbard South's Payton Carli opened the game with a bunt single, but Catalano then helped herself by catching a sacrifice bunt attempt and turning the play into a double play. Ashley Cohen followed with a single but Catalano retired the next batter to end the inning.

In the third inning the Raiders' first hitters reached when right fielder Holly Taylor was hit by a pitch and Tricia Weigand put down a perfect bunt that turned into a single. After a grounder to short resulted in Taylor being tagged out on her way to third, Aimee Gerhardt's sharp single loaded the bases with just one out and the Raiders' Nos. 3-4 hitters coming to the plate.

But Catalano retired Cohen on a popout to catcher Haleigh Yerkes, and Dani Scarpiniti on a grounder to second baseman Julia Huebner. Before making the final out, Scarpiniti came within a foot or two of clearing the bases when she ripped a line drive to deep left field that landed just foul.

Neuqua Valley, which swept Minooka in a doubleheader Saturday, couldn't get much offense going Monday in its four innings against Taylor Carli. Jenny Budds and Dominica Lange each singled in the first, but Lange's hit actually hit Budds on the basepaths for the third out of the inning.

The two schools have set May 24 as possible date to attempt to complete the contest.

Glenbard West 3, Hinsdale Central 0:

Senior pitcher Taylor Langtry threw a five-inning no-hitter before foul weather struck, striking out eight and walking none in the West Suburban Silver game. Sarah Park went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI for the Hilltoppers.