South Elgin charges back to beat Bartlett

The South Elgin softball team fell behind by 5 runs with Bartlett threatening to increase the lead in the second inning Monday.

The Storm got out off a bases-loaded, one-out jam and rallied from a 6-1 deficit to defeat the Hawks, 9-7, in Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division play in South Elgin.

With first-place Waubonsie Valley coming to town on Tuesday, the loss eliminated Bartlett from title contention in the division.

"We've worked back from deficits a few times this year," said South Elgin senior Mallory Mecklenburg, who went 3-for-4 with a 3-run home run. "This was our last game against Bartlett, a major rivalry. I think that everyone just wanted to win."

Each team scored once in the first inning. Dana Paul hit a grand slam and Alyssa Nowak had a run-scoring single to give the Hawks (23-6, 12-4) a 6-1 lead. The Hawks had the bases loaded and one out when Karli Dobler relieved Paige Allen for the Storm (15-12, 9-8). Dobler got Sydney Johnson to ground into an inning-ended double play to keep it 6-1 Bartlett.

Mecklenburg started the rally with a 3-run home run in the second off Holly Pagan (14-5). Cassidy Westlund hit a 2-run single in the fourth to tie the game at 6-6.

Bartlett regained the lead, 7-6, as Kayla Haberstich had a sacrifice fly that scored Katie Fornoff, who was 2-for-4 with 3 runs.

Rachel Ziemba led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk. Mecklenburg followed with a single. Westlund then singled to center, scoring Ziemba. The throw from center field hit Mecklenburg on her way to third and got away, allowing Mecklenburg to score for an 8-7 lead. Alyssa Buddle then drove in Westlund for a 9-7 lead.

"We're streaking. That's all we need, just a little streak to get something going," said Storm coach Stephanie Katzenberger, whose team has now won 4 straight. "It comes down to when we're hitting, we win games."

The Hawks had two runners on with one out in the seventh, but Dobler got a strikeout and fly out to end the game.

"Give South Elgin a lot of credit because what I'll say may seem like I'm taking away some of their credit," Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. "We played sloppy. We haven't played since last Wednesday. We haven't practiced since last Thursday."

Dobler (6-4) went 5⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits and 1 run. The sophomore walked 1 and struck out 3.

Ziemba scored 4 times. Westlund and Buddle each had 2 hits.

Fornoff, Paul, Alexandra Morales and Nowak each had 2 hits for the Hawks.