Softball: Oswego East swings early to knock off Oswego

The Oswego softball team was able to stop the bleeding after a hot start by Oswego East, but the Panthers could not reverse the damage on the scoreboard.

The Wolves (8-4, 3-2 Southwest Prairie Conference) pounded out nine hits including a two-run triple by junior Makenna Mittelstaedt and a solo home run by senior Emma Benson to solidify an 8-3 victory over visiting Oswego (4-7, 0-5) in Tuesday's game.

"The big hit was Makenna coming up with the triple to knock some runs in," Oswego East coach Laura Nussle said. "We went quiet there for a couple innings, but Emma Benson brought the energy back with her home run. Defensively, we knew they were going to have a short game and we were ready for them. Overall, their communication is great. For as young as they are, they've really, really been working well together."

Oswego East pitcher Sarah Schutz was on her mark early, striking out a pair of Panthers to leave one stranded in the top of the first, and opened the bottom half with a leadoff single to get things rolling for the Wolves. Dani Williams (2-for-4) knocked out an RBI double to put the Wolves on the board before Mittelstaedt's two-run shot to the outfield fence.

Nicole Schussler opened the bottom of the second with a triple, Emily Green reached on an error that allowed Schussler to score and Schultz (2-for-4) singled with no outs. Williams was safe on a drop third strike, which allowed a run to score on the passed ball, and both Juvia Davis and Rachel Johnson sacrificed in runs to put Oswego East ahead 7-0.

The scoreboard remained unchanged until the fifth inning when Oswego got a leadoff double from Ashley McCance and an RBI single from Natalie Etheridge. Jessica Howard singled and Annie Scaramuzzi walked to load the bases for Kayla Moky, who hit a two-run shot. Oswego left two runners stranded after a strikeout and infield grounder, but closed the gap with a 7-3 game.

"Our energy has been turned around, but we just have to bring that energy in the first inning and not wait until the third or the fourth," Oswego coach Amanda Stanton said. "They're doing really well. They're working hard. They're making adjustments at the plate and that's helping us get runs. They're sacrificing themselves for their teammates."

Benson opened the bottom of the fifth by sending the pitch by Oswego freshman Jenna Veber over the left center field wall for the 8-3 game.

Oswego had runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings, but Schussler caught a pop up behind home plate to end the sixth inning and leave two on base, and Green made the final out at second to leave two more Panthers stranded and end the game. Schultz finished with five strikeouts and allowed five hits in the complete game effort.

Oswego East Notes: The Wolves picked up a 6-4 win over Romeoville last Thursday and an 18-9 win over Hinsdale South on April 15 in a rescheduled game. Oswego East knocked out 20 hits against the Hornets. On Monday, Oswego East picked up a 10-3 win over West Chicago behind a 13-hit effort.

Oswego Notes: Oswego won the Fox Valley Tournament last weekend with a 3-0 finish, picking up a 10-0 win over Batavia before defeating Yorkville 6-5 last Saturday. In the title game, the Panthers topped Burlington Central 3-2. The Panthers scored two runs in the third inning to get ahead, and Scaramuzzi went 2-for-3, with an RBI double in the third.

"It was a great feeling. That weekend gave the girls the confidence boost they needed," Stanton said. "It felt good overall."