Prep Softball: South Elgin posts season's 20th win

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SOUTH ELGIN -- The South Elgin senior softball players had a lot to celebrate on the team's first-ever senior day recognition Friday.

Not only did a 10-0 five-inning win over visiting Elgin High send the Storm into the postseason on a positive note, it was also its 20th win of the season and secured an 11-9 winning record in the Upstate Eight Conference.

"This is a big win for us because we reached a couple of our goals (that) we set out at the beginning of the year," said South Elgin coach Jason Schaal. "We wanted to get our first 20-win season and finish above .500 in the conference. So, we're proud of that. But we still have more goals we'd like to reach, like winning a regional and possibly a sectional."

South Elgin's three seniors all played a role in the win. Rebecca French struck out seven batters, while firing a complete-game four-hitter. Tegan O'Connor went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Stephanie Sanocki added an RBI.

"It's pretty special being the first group of seniors," said French. "I know I was really pumped up. We wanted to go out with a bang."

Juniors Kim Pierce and Lauren Vitiello had the big sticks for the Storm. Pierce went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Vitiello was 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

In the first inning, Pierce opened the scoring when she cracked her ninth homer of the season, a two-run opposite-field shot to right center.

"We wanted to win this one for the seniors," said Pierce. "They've all meant so much to the team."

The Storm exploded for five runs in the second inning to go up 7-0. Caitlin Stredde started the scoring with a two-out two-run single. Pierce, Vitiello and Layla Ismajlaj all followed with RBI doubles.

The Storm wrapped up the scoring with three runs in the fourth inning. Vitiello and Cary Thereon had RBI singles.

"We feel good heading into the postseason, but we're not going to let ourselves get over confident," said Schaal. "We still have some work to put into practice the next couple days, but if we can keep the bats going, we have a chance to do some things."

Jenna Jaynes had a pair of hits for the Maroons (3-23, 3-16). Kelly Patchett pitched the first four innings and took the loss. The Maroons still have one regular-season game against Larkin today before opening regional play against the Royals on Monday. If the Maroons win on Monday, they would get another crack against the Storm on Tuesday.

"Give them credit," said Elgin High coach Peg Corcoran. "They are a good hitting team. They put the ball in play and that's something we have to do more of."