Softball: Knights rally past Lakes
Grace Brown homered again, and Grayslake North's softball team won again.
The Knights needed seventh-inning heroics this time, scoring 3 runs in their last at-bat to edge Lakes 7-6 in Northern Lake County Conference action on Wednesday.
It was the 12th win in a row for Grayslake North (17-7, 9-3), which visits Antioch on Thursday, trying to deny the Sequoits the outright NLCC championship.
Faith Standerski (3-for-4) led off the Grayslake North seventh with her third home run of the year. Brown (3-for-4) followed with her 18th of the season, giving her a home run in eight straight games and breaking her own record she set early this year of five consecutive games with a homer.
The Knights' rally continued as freshman Jess Pozezinski (3-for-4, 4 RBI), after hitting her first career home run in the third, hit a double down the line and advanced to third on a throwing error. Intentional walks to the next two hitters loaded the bases. Caitlin Barenbaum then laced the first pitch she saw into center field for the walk-off single.
Ashton Moore, Scout Kram, Jelly Diaz and Meghan Delahunty all added singles for Grayslake North.
Kelsey Ulrich (3 RBI) and Haley Ovaska (2-3, RBI) both homered for Lakes. Rachel Becker (3 hits, RBI) and Kayla Foote (2 hits), and Cam Jones (double) also contributed the Eagles' attack.
Antioch 1, McHenry 0: Megan Lawrence delivered her second walk-off hit of the season, as the Sequoits pulled out the nonconference game for their 20th win of the season.
Jerianne Bonaguidi pitched all 7 innings for Antioch (20-6), allowing 3 hits and 3 walks, while striking out one. Avery Malicki led off the bottom of the seventh by getting hit by a pitch, and Ashlyn Sundell followed with a single. After an infield out, Piper Foote (2 stolen bases) was intentionally walked. Lawrence then singled into the left field, giving Antioch its 20th win in its last 22 games.
Grant 19, Round Lake 3: Sydney Goessele hit a grand slam, Liz Schram was 3-for-4 with a homer and 2 RBI, and the Bulldogs won in Northern Lake County action.
Grant got 2 hits apiece from Calista Warmowski, Erin Bengston, Maddy Nourigat and Becca Fabry (double, 3 RBI).
Charla Ryan homered for Round Lake, and Sydney Verastegui was 2-for-3.
Grayslake Central 10, Highland Park 0: Morgan Smigielski homered twice for the Rams in their nonconference win.
Brook Heraty and Ashlynn Coleman also homered for Grayslake Central. Smigielski (3 RBI), Grace Bradley, Heraty (3 RBI) and Coleman (double) were all 2-for-4. Corinne Heidloff pitched a 6-inning complete game, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out seven.
Libertyville 7, Lake Zurich 0: Amanda Page fired 6 shutout innings, and the host Wildcats won their senior day game in North Suburban Conference action.
Sarah Bennett was 3-for-4 for Libertyville (21-6, 11-3), and Aliya Haddon went 2-for-2. Wildcats seniors Sarah Hoyer and Emily Hilldale each had a single. Christine Zhang doubled.
Marengo 12, Carmel 8: Sydney Schuda and Emy Krysa homered for the Corsairs in their nonconference loss.
Wauconda 6, Crystal Lake Central 5: The Bulldogs won the nonconference game, receiving 2-for-3 efforts from Julia Fohlmeister, Kayla Serio, Rhiannon Himmelmann and Maggie Bonefas.
Hannah Miller and Sydney Rodgers both doubled for Wauconda. Serio pitched all 7 innings, striking out 11 and allowing 3 earned runs.
Vernon Hills 16, Niles North 1: Meg Finerty hit a home run for the Cougars in their Central Suburban League win.
Alexi Viviano was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI for Vernon Hills (13-16, 9-1), and Delaney Bowen and Rachel Wright doubled.