Softball: Dundee-Crown responds, tops Larkin for Slugfest title

After surrendering three runs to Larkin in the top of the fifth, Dundee-Crown bounced back to score nine runs on nine hits in the bottom of the inning.

Game over.

The Chargers defeated the host Royals 11-4 to claim the championship of the Larkin Slugfest Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex.

There was a 43-minute delay because of heavy rains and lightning.

"We responded," said Dundee-Crown coach Matt Goetz. "We got good swings at the plate. I am very proud of the way we played all day."

D-C junior pitcher McKayla Anderson was the recipient of the Chargers' (8-5) 9-run fifth inning onslaught.

Anderson, who hurled a complete game in a 3-1 semifinal win over Burlington Central, gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in the title game. The hard-throwing junior struck out 10 with a walk and 2 hit batsmen.

"Actually the delay helped a little," said Anderson. "I knew when I gave up the lead my team had my back. I was really pumped up after that. My drop curve was really working."

Goetz praised Anderson.

"She was amazing," said the D-C coach. "She had great stuff."

In the critical fifth when 14 Chargers came to the plate, Faith Dierwecter and Kendall Brents provided 2-run singles for Dundee-Crown.

Freshman Jordyn Jeffers supplied the power with a 2-run homer in the fourth.

The Chargers, who had 15 hits in the game, got 3 each from Dierwecter and Annabelle Pederson.

Baylie Johnson was 4-for-4 for the Royals (6-5) with a double and an RBI single. Brynn Kerber had a 2-run double for Larkin.

"We had one bad inning," said Larkin coach Anne Vogt. "With all the good competition in the tournament, we are happy with second place. Dundee-Crown beat us."

In the semifinals, Dundee-Crown beat Burlington Central 3-1. The Chargers scored all their runs in the third courtesy of a 2-run single by Casi Attapit and a run-scoring single Addison Pino.

Pino paced the Chargers attack with 3 hits.

Anderson, the complete game winner, struck out 7 with 1 walk. She allowed the Rockets 1 unearned run on 4 hits.

Emily Rafferty was the hard luck loser for Central. She struck out 4 without allowing a walk.

Larkin beat Bartlett 5-3 in the other semifinal after Bartlett defeated Larkin 14-0 in Upstate Eight Conference action earlier in the week.

The Royals turned the tables with a semifinal win.

"We had a bad game, said Vogt. "We got revenge."