Softball: Downers Grove North beats York on Czech's no-hitter
The wind was blowing in at York's softball field in Elmhurst on Tuesday, and Downers Grove North knew it had to take advantage of whatever scoring chances developed.
Downers Grove North edged the Dukes 2-1 in the West Suburban Silver opener for both teams with the help of Estelle Czech's second no-hitter of the season.
Czech struck out 13 in getting the victory. Her first no-hitter came in the season opener against Morton, of the West Suburban Gold, on March 19.
The junior said her riseball and her changeup were her most effective pitches in the victory that pushed Downers Grove North to 7-1 overall.
"I honestly didn't know about a no-hitter until the game ended," Czech said.
She added that the cold weather made it crucial to stay active when not pitching or hitting.
"I was just trying to stay loose. I had my jacket on when I was not playing. I kept moving and stretching," she said.
York (4-6) scored first in its half of the opening inning. Leadoff hitter Katherine Karnatz walked and with some aggressive baserunning made it to third on Gina Westphal's sacrifice bunt. Karnatz scored on a fielding error.
The Trojans tied the game in the third. Stacy Drohan was hit by a pitch. Allison Pustelnik's sacrifice bunt moved Drohan to second and she scored a two-base throwing error.
Downers North scored the go-ahead run the following inning. Czech walked and Jozie Arenz, a courtesy runner, moved to third on a throwing error. Arenz scored on Payton Janicki's single to left center.
"(Czech) did today what she has done all season and last year," said Trojans coach Eric Landschoot. "We knew it was going to be a low-scoring game with two great pitchers. They're a great team. We got lucky. We took advantage of a few mental errors."
As to his team's big start to the season, the Downers North coach said the Trojans are getting what they need at the right time.
"We hit when we need to hit. We get great pitching when we need great pitching. We play small ball when we need to play small ball and we use power when we need to use power," Landschoot said.
York starting pitcher Lauren Derkowski also pitched a complete game, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 17.
"Lauren was excellent. I have had this conversation before. I tell the team we have to back up the pitcher offensively. We have to be disciplined at the plate and make adjustments," said Dukes coach Elizabeth Munn.