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Softball: Batavia 2nd at Marengo tournament

Batavia softball coach Lupe Castellanos witnessed up close and personal why Marengo is considered one of the top teams statewide in Class 3A.

The host Indians played flawless defense in knocking off Batavia 8-2 in the championship game of the Marengo tournament Saturday.

"Marengo is a fundamentally strong team, " said Castellanos. "I liked the way we swung the bats and battled."

Marengo (21-5) roughed up Batavia starter Jaelen Lisberg for 7 runs on 9 hits in 3 innings of work.

The Indians scored 2 in the second on RBI singles by Allison Jasinski and Megan Anthony and added 2 in the third on a solo homer by Mariah Dionne and a run-scoring single from Susanna Nawrot. Marengo seized control of the game with 3 in the fourth on a 2-RBI single by Nawrot and a run-producing single from Riley Connell.

Both of the Bulldogs' (13-11) runs came on solo homers by Rachael Lovestrand and Olivia Bumbar.

Dionne (17-4) struck out 6 with a walk to pick up the win.

Marengo coach Dwain Nance was impressed his team didn't commit an error in 3 games.

"Our defense was outstanding," said Nance. "It was a good day. We beat Batavia, Conant and Bartlett, all very good Class 4A teams.''

Morrison 11, Conant 5: The winning Fillies scored in 5 of 6 innings to place third.

"We didn't bring the energy we had the first two games," said Conant coach Cathy Ann Smith. "This tournament was good for us because we played teams we usually don't play."

Bartlett 4, Belvidere 2: Katie Fornoff's 2-run homer in the sixth gave the Hawks the lead for good at 3-2.

"I knew I made good contact and thought it had a good chance to get out," said Fornoff. "It was nice to get a win."

Janelle Ulasek, elevated to the varsity from the junior varsity, blanked the Bucs in 3 innings in relief to pick up the win.

"Janelle was outstanding," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith. "It was nice to get a win."

Marengo 2, Bartlett 1: Fornoff's solo homer to start the game was the Hawks only run of the game.

Marengo 3, Conant 2: Morgan Bihun collected a solo homer in the seventh but it wasn't enough for the Cougars.

Conant 12, Bartlett 6: The Cougars scored 9 of their 12 runs on homers. Makenna McCarthy and Sara-Kate Pasbrig had 3-run homers for the winners (18-4).

Batavia 8, Belvidere 6: Jena Bendoraitis' 2-run homer in the bottom of the seventh gave the Bulldogs the win.

Batavia 11, Morrison 0: Jessica Kleist's grand slam was the key hit in an 8-run third.

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