Softball: Homer-happy Prospect off to Florida with win

A four-year starter for Prospect's softball team, Lauren Caldrone kicked off her final season with a first in the Knights' first game of the season.

The Northwestern recruit hit for the cycle, completing it with a 3-run homer in the top of the fifth inning that put the Knights ahead 9-0.

Two batters later, Illinois Welseyan recruit Colleen Palczynski ended the game by landing the ball some 40 feet over the left field fence to make it a 10-0 triumph over visiting St. Viator in five innings.

Sophomore Claire Doherty threw 1-hitter for the win.

In the fourth inning, Dayton recruit Alyssa Cacini followed a triple by Caldrone (4-for-4, 4 RBI) with a crushing homer over the left field fence that made it 6-0.

"I know they (Cacini, Caldrone and Palczynski) all have high expectations," said Prospect coach Krystina Mackowiak about the three seniors. "For all three of them to start out this way (each with a homer), I couldn't ask anything more of them."

"I've never had a cycle in softball before this," Caldrone said. "I just finally put all the different hits together in one game. And Alyssa and Colleen are going to do great this season. They've always been home runs hitters. So along with them, it's been great."

Palczynski led Prospect with 8 homers last season.

"I wanted to join the club," she said with a laugh about following Caldrone and Cansicni's homers with one of her own. "This was a great way to start the season."

The season continues with a trip to Florida. The Knights leave on Friday for five games in Orlando.

"We're really excited to go," Palczynski added. "And this was a nice way to practice for it."

The Knights' off-season practice paid off quickly.

"We were all ready," said Cacini, who also flied out deep to center in the fifth inning. "We've been hitting a lot and we felt really confident coming into the game."

Doherty looked confident in her season debut on the mound, striking out seven.

Also leading the Knights' offense were Cassie Cunniff (2-for-3, 3 RBI), Elmhurst-bound catcher Jackie Orel (1-for-2, double) and Kaitlyn Pancini (1-for-2, double), who was prevented of a second hit on a nice running catch by Lions centerfielder Maggie VanValkenburg.

"Our defense played a lot better than it did over weekend (tournament in Peroria)," said St. Viator coach John Scotillo. "I was happy with that but we need a lot of work with our offense. We will work on that."

A fourth-inning leadoff single to right by Lions senior first baseman Haley Robinson was Viator's only hit.

"We played a nice three or four innings," said Scotillo, whose club is 0-4. "But we have to play a whole game."

Prospect's next game is in Orlando.

"We're excited," Mackowiak said. "If we are playing this well in the cold (temperatures were in the 40s), I'm excited to see what we can do in the warmer weather in Florida."