Catcher Anne Saran has three homers coming into Naperville Central’s game against Naperville North and pitcher Camelia Chelich. The crosstown rivalry being played at North in cool, blustery conditions.
First Inning
And the weather forecast should include a jet stream, because Alyssa Vansickle is putting the ball up… and outta here! There was one aboard… so make it a two run homer. Huskies strike first, leading 2-0 after one.
Second Inning
Top half of the second and Chelich… dealing. Goes 1-2-3 and strikes out the side.
Third Inning
Next inning out there… not so lucky. Katie Gutsell puts a charge into a low fast ball and golfs it right outta the park. That’s a three run bomb and the Redhawks now lead 3-2.
Fourth inning
Top of the fourth and Naperville Central has the bags loaded with two away… and Chelich escapes, inducing the pop out that ALMOST gets away from third baseman Alaina Eyberger.
Fifth Inning
Moving to the top of the fifth, it’s 4-3 Central… but soon to by 5-3. Saran launching her fourth dinger of the season, a solo shot to left.
Same inning, bases loaded for a second time… and this time, Redhawks capitalize. Halle Arends crushes a pitch to left that gets down… that’ll sweep the bases clean and Central exits the fifth up 11-3.
But this thing is FAR from over. Alyssa Vansickle crushes an Arends offering a long, long way… that’s her second homer of the day and it brings the Huskies to within 6. They score 5 in the fifth to make it 11-8.
So much offense… how about a little defense from second baseman Allison Arnold… ranges right, picks it up and rifles on to first in time to end the inning!
Seventh Inning
Final chance for North to come back, down 11-9… but Arends strikes out her 13th batter.
Down to their last out, the Huskies’ Eyberger lines out to end the game and Naperville Central hangs on to a thriller, winning 11-9 in a homer happy affair.
Check out how other area softball teams are doing in our Girls Sports Highlights!
