Softball: St. Francis shuts out Streamwood

St. Francis' bats broke out in a big way Friday, pounding out 16 hits in a 14-0 win against Streamwood.

Annika Norman and Natalie Doyle combined on a 5-inning 2-hitter and had 5 hits between them. Their batterymate, catcher Grace Wanshek, also had 3 hits as the Spartans scored 12 times in the first 3 innings.

"The bats have been oddly silent so far this season," said St. Francis coach Ralph Remus. "So it was a relief to get them going."

It didn't take long. Sadie Racky delivered a 1-out hit in the first. One out later, consecutive hits by Wanshek, Amelia Racky, Doyle and Hailey Dillon plated 3 runs.

The Spartans broke the nonconference matchup wide open in the second, scoring 6 times. Norman tripled to center field, driving in a run, and scored on Sadie Racky's single. St. Francis loaded the bases before Doyle cleared them with a triple off the fence in right center. She came around to score when the center fielder had trouble picking up the ball.

Norman added another RBI triple in the third, driving in Taylor Austin, who led off with a double. Dillon also had an RBI hit in the inning.

"I think we kind of came out as a team a little bit more confident," Norman said. "We really needed it after yesterday's game (a 10-0 loss at Ridgewood)."

Norman started in the circle and retired the first 6 batters she faced. The only baserunner she allowed came on an infield single by Kathy Cintora.

Doyle came on to pitch in the fourth and allowed a bunt single to Ashley Harrison after Tessa Freedman drew a leadoff walk. But Doyle got a strikeout, then turned a line drive up the middle into a double play to end the threat.

St. Francis was able to get everyone involved, including Ella Malachowski and Ava Swiatek, who delivered back-to-back singles with 1 out in the sixth. But a line-drive double play got the Sabres out of the inning.