Shimkus, Lockport tame Sandburg

LOCKPORT -- Allison Shimkus, who has been Lockport High School's third pitcher for most of the season, held Sandburg in check Friday and the Porters prevailed over the top-ranked team in the Chicago area 3-1 in SouthWest Suburban Blue play.

The victory made a post-game Senior Night celebration more special and moved Lockport (22-5, 9-2) to within a half game of the Eagles (25-2, 10-2) in the Blue.

"I didn't know I'd be starting until coach (Marissa Chovanec) told me during batting practice," Shimkus said. "I was nervous, but once I stepped on the field I was fine. It was my game and I knew I had to do it."

Shimkus (4-1), a junior right-hander, scattered 6 hits, walked 1, hit one and stuck out 9. The Porters' top pitcher, junior righty Dana Bowler, had an MRI on her pitching shoulder on Friday.

"All year we've said we have a lot of depth," Chovanec said. "Today we showed that as Allison stepped up and did her job.

"We came out ready and focused at the plate and I'm real pleased how the kids came to bat."

Entering the game, Lockport had lost last 16 of 19 to the Eagles. And since 2005, Lockport had scored one run total in seven straight losses to Sandburg. But in the bottom of the third, the Porters doubled that total.

Senior Rebecca Baltikas, who was playing her first game after serving a nine-game suspension, collected a pinch-hit, one-out double. With two outs, junior second baseman Kayleigh Bertram lined an RBI double. Bertram then scored on Sandburg's only error.

"When Rebecca got us started, the energy was electric in the dugout," Bertram said. "It (her double) was a pitch on the outside corner and I just had to stick with it.

"It was definitely a big thing. Just getting ahead early made all the difference."

The Porters added another run in the fourth. Junior right fielder Brittaney Gonsoulin led off with a bunt single and senior left fielder Courtney Kutsulis followed with an RBI double. It was the fourth double for Kutsulis in the last two games.

Sandburg scored in the sixth on a one-out RBI double to center by freshman first baseman Lexi Bryant. That put runners at second and third, but Shimkus got out of the jam with a seven-pitch strikeout and an infield pop-up. She also pitched out of a second and third, one-out situation in the third by getting a looping pop-up and strike out.

The game ended when Sandburg sophomore second baseman Kendall Coyne, who was 2-3, was thrown out trying to steal second by Porter junior catcher Samantha Stanicek.

"I was relaying on my curve ball and raise ball," Shimkus said. "I'm really excited. It was a real good win for me and the team."

Brittany Gardner (21-2) took the loss. The sophomore lefty allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits, while walking none and striking out 4.

Lincoln-Way Central 3, Homewood-Flossmoor 1 -- At Flossmoor, the Knights (21-6, 9-3) clinched the SouthWest Suburban Red championship outright with the victory. It's the Knights' third straight conference crown.

Winner Gabe Gavoni (9-1) struck out 4 and allowed 4 hits. She helped her cause with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Courtney Dunker homered and singled.

Lincoln-Way East 3, Bradley-Bourbonnais 1 -- At Frankfort, winner Jessica Iversen (7-4) struck out 13 for the Griffins (15-7, 6-5) in the SouthWest Suburban Red win. Brianna Lizen had a hit and 2 sacrifice bunts, Rose Wysocki had 2 hits and an RBI and Maggie Kerrigan added a sacrifice bunt and RBI.

JCA 10, St. Joe's 0 -- At Joliet, junior Danielle Reilly did it all for the Angels 18-6, 11-3) in the East Suburban Catholic Conference rout.Besides pitching the win , Reilly had 2 hits, including a home run, and 3 RBIs. Reilly struck out 2, walked 1 and allowed 2 hits in the 5-inning win for Angels (18-6, 11-3).

"Danielle pitched a great game and hit the ball very hard as well," JCA coach Dave Douglas said.

JCA's Stefanie Churchwell added 2 hits (double) and 3 RBIs. Stephanie Barichello had a single, triple and drove in a run.

Plainfield South 17, Maine East 0 -- At the Fenton Tournament, Jackie Frey pitched a 4-hitter with 8 strikeouts and no walks in 5 innings for the Cougars (18-5). Kendall Weber (3 runs) and Lauren Walker (RBI) had 2 hits. Mary Giancarlo and Gaby Liberatore doubled. Alexis Alvarez had a hit and scored 3 runs.

Coal City 12, Peotone 1 -- At Peotone, Katie Crawford (12-0) pitched a 4-hitter with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk for the Coalers (22-0, 15-0) in the Interstate Eight Conference triumph. Bryanna Phelan had 3 hits to power an 11-hit attack. Karla Shappell (double, 3 RBIs) and Courtney Delach (RBI) added 2 hits. Kirsten Verdun doubled and drove in 4 runs.

"I thought we played good softball today," Coal City coach Brad Schmitt said. "Katie Crawford pitched well and kept them off balance."

Brittany Cook had a double, triple and RBI for the Blue Devils (17-9-1, 10-6). Brianna Haag singled and scored.

Dwight 3, Seneca 0 -- At Seneca, Stephanie Humbert hrew a 2-hit shutout with 9 strikeouts and 2 walks for the Trojans (21-5, 11-5) in the Interstate Eight Conference victory. Alyssa Henson singled and doubled while Katie Mixen, Alesha Stevenson and Humbert (double) added key hits. Kirbie Gereaux delivered an RBI hit.

Morrison 7, Reed-Custer 0 -- At the Lisle Tournament, the Comets (1-23) had 1 hit, a double by losing pitcher Becca Votta (1-15). Votta'a hit to begin the seventh inning broke of Ashlie Patten's perfect game.