Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
NW, MP, Palatine No Prob For Sparklers
The Des Plaines Sparklers finally gave up a few runs, but still won three more games to extend their winning streak last week.
In three weekday games, the Sparklers beat the Northwest Vikings, 7-2; walloped the Mt. Prospect Power (manager Kristen Proffitt's former team in 1999), 13-3; and shut out the Palatine Storm, 11-0.
Against the Vikings, Erin Ross and Tara Nykiel combined to pitch a 2-hitter, and Katie Pack ran down several drives in right field. Brie Montmarquette led the Sparkler offense with a single, double, and triple. Renee Pond and Ross each singled and doubled, and Gina Larucci and Hanna Udischas each doubled.
Against the Power, Pond and Ariel Valles belted 2 hits each, and Holly Wengerski, Kayla Hansen, Abbey Herling, Nykiel, Udischas, and Larucci each hitsafely.
Ross and Valles combined for a 1-hit shutout of the Storm and struck out 7 hitters between them. Wengerski led the offense with 4 hits and Nykiel, Montmarquette, Udischas, and Larucci stroked 2 hits each.
The Sparklers are 34-6 now and play a rematch with the Power tonight (Wednesday). They will take the July 4 weekend off to be with their families, and will return to their tournament schedule at Woodstock on July 10-12, at Skokie on July 17-19, and Elk Grove Village and the Elk Grove Heat on the weekend of July 24-26.
To cap their 2009 season, the Sparklers will travel to Overland Park, Kansas, to compete in the ASA Nationals July 29-Aug. 2.
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