Softball: Wauconda meets its goals, opens with win over Meadows
Wauconda senior pitcher Kayla Serio said her Bulldogs softball team had two objectives for Tuesday's season opener at Rolling Meadows.
"We just wanted to get the nerves out," said the Milwaukee School of Engineering recruit. "And come out with a bang."
By the time Bulldogs freshman Alexis De La Rocha banged a solo home run over the center field fence to lead off the seventh inning, the nerves were long gone.
De La Rocha's solo blast made it 4-0 and was one of 3 runs in the inning, giving Serio plenty of insurance to finish off a 6-1 nonconference triumph.
Serio and Mustangs senior ace Elise Kowalski were dueling in a scoreless game in the top of the fifth when the Bulldogs finally broke through with an unearned run.
"That 100 percent helps," Serio said of getting the lead. "It makes me more confident on the mound."
Serio was able to have plenty of confidence in her defense, which committed only 1 error, as did the Mustangs.
The big highlight was center fielder Sydney Rodgers' beautiful shoestring stab to take away a hit from Caroline Slowik after Steph Thompson had led off with a single in the sixth inning.
"Sydney made a great play right there," said Wauconda coach Tim Orisek. "That's an inning-changer there. That grab really changed the complexion of the inning."
The biggest offensive inning for the Bulldogs was the seventh.
After De La Rocha's big blast, sophomore shortstop Julia Fohlmeister singled to left and went to third on Rodgers' double to center.
Serio then helped her own cause with a 2-run double down the left field line to make it 6-0.
Meadows got its only run in the bottom of the inning when Kendra Herring led off with a single to center and advanced to second on Emily Schmidt's infield hit. Sophomore Sami Brenner then hit her second double of the game, a sharp liner that just hit off Rodgers' extended glove, to get Herring home from second base.
Serio retired the next three batters, including her eighth and ninth strikeouts.
"We're expecting a lot more from Kayla this year," Orisek said. "She got ahead of her hitters and kept their batters out of their rhythm. And her defense made some big plays when we needed them."
Fohlmeister, Rodgers and Serio each went 2-for-4 while freshman Taylor Koehler and junior Hannah Miller also had base hits.
"And Calli Janik (freshman) had a could of good swings," Orisek said. "She just missed an RBI opportunity (sharp lineout to center fielder Schmidt).
In all, Orisek started four freshmen.
"And we have two more on the bench who we know are solid players and they're going to get some playing time Thursday," he said. "Our seniors are great leaders and they're taking the freshmen under their wings. The freshmen are just working their tails off to prove they belong up here and you can see that they do."
Sami Benner went 2-for-3, belting the first extra base hits of her career after collecting 19 singles last spring.
Kowalski finished with 7 strikeouts.
"Elise pitched a really good game," said Meadows coach Tony Wolanski. "We made only one error. If we can limit the mistakes we make in the field, were going to be OK. I've got a feeling we're going to hit the ball. Unfortunately today just wasn't our day.
"We have seven who are all pretty good hitters. So we'll keep working hard in practice. Give Wauconda credit. They just made more plays and beat us."