Softball: Lake Park jumps past Waubonsie Valley into first place in DVC
After beating visiting Waubonsie Valley on Monday 4-0 to take sole possession of first place in the DuPage Valley Conference, Lake Park talked of needing a clean softball game against the Warriors.
The Lancers (15-5, 7-1) were speaking not only of a clean game defensively but performing well at the plate as well, and they succeeded on both fronts.
"As long as we continue to play as clean as we did today with no errors and putting the ball in play, I think we can continue to move forward with success towards the end of the DuPage Valley Conference," said Lake Park coach James Chellson.
What turned out to be the winning run for the Lancers came in their half of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Julia Caesar walked and stole second. Dina Falk's groundball out moved her to third and Courtney Worcester's single to right brought her home.
"This is awesome (taking over first place). It's a result of the hard work that we've done in practice," Worcester said.
Lake Park made it 2-0 in the fourth as winning pitcher Natalie Grubczak walked. Kayla Pisauro, running for her, scored on a fielding error.
The Lancers added a much-needed cushion to their lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs with the help of two Waubonsie errors. With one out Dena Searles singled to right and with two outs, Falk walked. Both later scored on the Warriors' defensive miscues.
Grubczak, a freshman, was the winning pitcher and allowed just four hits and struck out five.
"I knew coming in that I had to hit my spots. Our team came out hitting, and when you know the team is behind you hitting, that's key," she said.
Lake Park racked up just three hits but put the ball in play in all but one inning.
The Warriors (12-7, 6-2) had baserunners on in all but one inning and had two baserunners in three innings. Coach Val Wood thought starting pitcher Stephanie Wilczynski had a solid outing that included six strikeouts. But the lack of converting scoring chances and the Warriors' defense spelled trouble for the team.
"We did not come ready to play. When you have error after error and don't hit to counter that, you'll lose the game," she said. "At this point of this season, this can't be happen. We are in the back half of the season.
"We have three more conference games this week. Hopefully, we can get back to playing our game," Wood said.
Veronica Zahn doubled for the Warriors. Michele Calabrese, Kiara Bryant and Sabrina Calabrese all had basehits. Zahn and Caleigh Cramer walked to put runners on first and second with two outs in the seventh before Lake Park closed the lid on the victory.
The Warriors return Tuesday to DVC play at Naperville North. Waubonsie has seven conference games remaining - home games against Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley, Naperville North and Wheaton North with road trips to Glenbard North, Naperville Central and Wheaton Warrenville South.
Lake Park is at WW South on Wednesday. It still has DVC home games against Naperville North, Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley remaining with road trips to Wheaton North, Glenbard North and Naperville Central.