Softball: Hinsdale Central rolls past Metea Valley

Hinsdale Central made sure pitcher Riley Burr felt comfortable from the get-go Thursday while she was making a rare start in the circle.

The Red Devils struck for 9 runs in the top of the first inning and added 7 more runs over the next three innings on their way to a 16-5, 5-inning defeat at Metea Valley. Hinsdale Central catcher Abie Shaker provided support for her batterymate early and often as the visitors claimed the nonconference win to improve to 6-4 this spring.

Shaker started the scoring with a 2-run double to the gap in right center in the first inning. With the Red Devils sending 13 batters to the plate in the first, Shaker added an RBI single her second time up, still in the opening inning.

"For sure I think we all played super well," said Shaker, who finished 3-for-4 with 4 RBI, including a home run in the fourth with a strong wind blowing out. "We pitched well. Riley pitched a great game. I think this was her first win under her belt. She hadn't pitched since, like, seventh grade."

The Mustangs were fresh off a tough 4-3 defeat to DuPage Valley Conference-leading Waubonsie Valley the previous day. But some wildness early (5 walks and a hit batsmen in the first) and an error helped Hinsdale Central jump out to a big lead.

To the Mustangs credit, they tallied a run in the first and three more in the second in an effort to fight back into the contest. Center fielder Sydney Bajusz singled to start the bottom of the first and came home on a groundout by Lisa Harrington.

Emma Zenkel, Megan Arcivar and Megan Archey each had hits in the 3-run second for Metea Valley, and Fran Senese drove home a run with a squeeze bunt.

"It's a freshman on the mound and we're just trying to see what she can do," Mustangs coach Kris Kalivas said. "Our offense did a nice job of coming back and not being defeated. I thought they did a nice job staying focused and staying in the game."

Zenkel, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored, is hopeful the Mustangs bats can stay strong this spring and lead the way to more wins for the 5-11 squad.

"I think our hitting is definitely going to ramp up these next couple days," the junior infielder said. "And it will give us a boost and we'll start winning more."

For the Red Devils, Lilia Carden started things off at the top of the order, picking up a walk and a single while scoring twice in the first inning and finishing the day 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Burr helped her own cause by going 3-for-4. Courtney Berlin and Alena Tsokolis combined to reach base safely all eight times and they each scored twice.