Softball: St. Charles North's bats hot to start season

It's been smooth sailing out of the gates for the St. Charles North softball team.

The North Stars were 4-0 to start the week after a 13-0 six-inning win against West Aurora and a 13-7 win over Bartlett.

Pitcher Ava Goettel was 3-0 in her first three starts. Coach Tom Poulin also lauded the contributions of Leigh VandeHei and Ashlee Chantos. "The top of the order is getting on, stealing bases and scoring runs," he said. "We are getting production from the entire lineup."

Aurora Central Catholic update:

The Chargers (4-3 overall) started Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division play with a 12-11 win over Rosary. Through seven games, senior catcher Olivia Hernandez was hitting .588 with 10 hits, including 2 homers to go with 10 RBI. Sophomore outfielder Amelia Lohery was hitting .421 and scored 9 runs, while freshman pitcher Kate Gambro was 2-0 with an 0.88 WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched). Classmate Brooklyn Marks had 31 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched and sported a 2.82 ERA.

"Several freshmen and sophomores are stepping up and making the most of their opportunities to play and help ACC find its footing again in the Metro Suburban Conference," Chargers coach Mark Pasqualini said.

Pasqualini said Hernandez and freshmen utility player Ashley Moore have been key factors lately. "Olivia is hitting everything in sight and is leading the team in most offensive categories," he noted. "Ashley continually finds herself coming up clutch in crucial offensive situations."

Larkin update:

The Royals downed Streamwood 12-2 to move to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Upstate Eight play last week.

Baylei Johnson and Audrianna Escobar each went 4-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBI in the game. Escobar, Larkin coach Anne Vogt noted. Is hitting .625 with 3 singles, a double and a home run, while Johnson is at .538 with 4 singles, 3 homers and 10 RBI. Kailey Cronin was the winning pitcher against Streamwood and moved to 2-0. She has not allowed an earned run this season.

Jacobs update:

The Golden Eagles split a pair of games at the Leyden invitational against host Leyden and Palatine.

Jacobs defeated Leyden 7-2 behind a 13-hit performance. Liz Smith went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI. CiCi DiSilvio went 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI, while Taylor Stennett went 2-for-4. Caitlin Cook and DiSilvio combined on the mound to throw a 5-hitter with 5 strikeouts.

In a 9-5 loss to Palatine, DiSilvio went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Geneva update:

The Vikings were 1-4 through their first five games after recent contests against Glenbard East and Oswego. Bre Venditti had an RBI hit against Glenbard East. "Bre has been playing well defensively," Geneva coach Annie Plackett said.

Gabi Fanella had 2 hits and 2 RBI in the game against Oswego. "Gabi hit well against Oswego," Plackett added.

Burlington Central update:

While weather has not been Burlington Central's friend thus far, the Rockets did get one over on Mother Nature, kicking the season off with a 15-3 Fox Valley Conference win over Prairie Ridge.

Coach Scott Richman said seniors Lauren Knief and Rylie Duval were stellar on defense in the win. "The girls played solid defense and worked through early opening day hitting jitters for a solid win," he said. "As we play more games, the story of this talented team will unfold."

South Elgin update:

The Storm split a pair of recent games against DuKane Conference foes, losing 11-0 to St. Charles East and downing Wheaton North 10-8.

"We are starting gel and come together as a group," Storm coach Brad Reynard said.

Through the first eight games (South Elgin was 6-2 to start the week), Hannah Harm was hitting .571 with 16 hits, including 5 home runs and 13 RBI. Cara Cruthers was at .462 with 3 doubles, 5 homers and 14 RBI.

Hampshire update:

Hampshire's 16-1 Fox Valley Conference win over Dundee-Crown put it at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

"Defensively, our team is performing at a high level," coach Jeremy Bauer noted. "However, our hitting has been streaky during the early part of the season."

Elyse Garcia and Noelle Scott have had the hot hand of late for the Whips. "Elyse is playing great defense and hitting for power and average," Bauer said earlier this week. "Noelle pitched really well during our last two games."

St. Charles East update:

Two wins against South Elgin (11-0) and West Aurora (3-2) put the Saints at 5-1 to start the season. A game against Neuqua Valley had to be halted in the bottom of the third and East leading 4-0. That game will resume May 6.

Junior Cici Wilson had a grand slam and 6 RBI in the South Elgin win and belted a solo homer in the West Aurora game. Freshman Holly Smith had a 2-run double against West Aurora and an RBI against Neuqua Valley. "Both hits were the first run of the game, which is always an important one," Saints coach Jarod Guetsha said. "We were swinging the bat well last week and came out hot against Neuqua Valley and Hannah Meeks, scoring 4 runs in three innings."

Huntley update:

The Red Raiders moved to 3-4 with a 10-2 Fox Valley Conference win against McHenry last week.

Elgin update:

While Elgin started the season 0-2, coach Monica Stockman has seen plenty of positives. "We are still a young team and working on growing as a team and individuals," she said.

Madison King and Madison Gschwend have played well thus far for the Maroons. "Madison King is pitching well," said Stockman, who noted King started the first two games of the season. "Madison Gschwend is catching pop flies and tracking the ball well in the outfield."

Streamwood update:

Streamwood's Kailey Pawlikowski was hitting .667 to start the week through the team's first four games. "Kailey is a huge threat at the plate no matter what they are throwing," Streamwood coach Colleen Hill said.

Also playing well is Sophie Saflarski, Hill explained. "Sophie is holding her own as a freshman pitcher, holding big hitters to one home run this season," she said. "She's a fighter in the circle."