Softball: Scheitler powers Glenbard North past Bartlett

Glenbard North senior pitcher Kaitlyn Scheitler helped her own cause for the second softball game in a row.

She sent a 2-2 pitch over the center-field fence to tie the game at 1 in the Panthers' half of the first inning Wednesday at home against Bartlett. Glenbard North scored four more runs to prevail 5-3.

It was her fourth home run of the season as the Panthers moved to 2-0. She had eight all of last season.

"I'm kind of surprised about how well I'm hitting. I don't expect to hit a home run," Scheitler said.

In the pitching circle she went the distance to get the victory, giving up just six hits and striking out four.

Bartlett (0-2) scored the game's first run when Riley Scrivner reached on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch.

The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the third. Amanda Frieden singled to right and scored thanks to Charlotte Linnatrz's groundout.

The Panthers took the lead for good in the bottom of the third. Skylar Pineda, the team's No. 9 hitter, doubled to center and came home when Isabella Eggert reached second on a throwing error. She scored on a wild pitch.

Scheitler said the team was eager to rally and grab the lead back.

"We got up in the dugout and got real exited. We got the hits and took the lead," she said.

Glenbard North made it 5-2 in the fifth. Eggert reached on an infield hit and Scheitler was intentionally walked for the second time. They both scored on a dropped flyball that put Lucy Rogers on second.

"(Scheitler) doesn't get many pitches, but when she does, she hits them hard," said Panthers coach Josh Sanew. "We have players around her in the lineup that can hit and so they have to pitch to her."

Bartlett got one more run in the sixth. Linnatrz led off with a double and scored on Abby Tomillo's single.

Bartlett starting pitcher Lizzy Jacoby turned in a solid outing, pitching five innings, allowing just four hits and striking out 11. Reliever Niki Campo pitched the sixth, setting the Glenbard North lineup down in order.

"Lizzy pitched phenomenally well," said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith. "The only walks she gave up were the intentional ones. I loved how she commanded the strike zone. When she got wild, she battled back. Her ball was definitely moving."

Glenbard North resumes play Monday at Waubonsie Valley, while Bartlett heads to Tennessee for a weekend tournament.

"For 15 years I have told them all I want is good softball. Today was not good, but it was better," Wolfsmith said.