advertisement

Softball: Larkin hangs on to down Elgin

When Elgin and Larkin get together, it's usually a wild affair. Friday's meeting on the softball diamond was no exception.

The Royals watched a 4-run lead evaporate in a wild fifth inning, then promptly went back ahead and held on for a 10-7 Upstate Eight River win at Elgin.

Elizabeth Bowman had 2 hits and drove in 3 runs for Larkin (2-7, 2-3). Haley Bohne singled in her first at-bat, then was intentionally walked 4 straight times. She scored 3 runs. Kathy Garcia also had 2 hits for the Royals.

Caitlyn Keith had 3 hits from the leadoff spot for Elgin.

"We like wins, but we would have preferred a little different manner," said Larkin coach Anne Vogt. "It's always good to get the win against Elgin. You never know what you're going to get. It's about pride … it's like west-side pride. They have east-side pride. They're coming out here with just as much adrenaline as we are."

The Royals were rolling along, leading 6-2 after 4 ½ innings. Then the Maroons erupted in the bottom of the fifth. Keith started the inning with a double. After a run scored on a throwing error, Emma Carrero, Lindsey Anderson, Lexi Smith and Kali Regul drove in runs on 4 straight at-bats.

The Royals struck right back, regaining the lead with 3 in the sixth. Bowman's 2-run double was the highlight.

"We watched it all fall apart in front of us, and then said, 'We've got this. We're going to come back, we're going to score some runs,' and it's kind of a weird feeling that I had but I was never was really too worried about it. I knew that we would have opportunities," Vogt said.

Elgin starter Abby Sensor, despite battling a rotator-cuff injury, struck out 19, but walked 12 (albeit 4 were intentional) and hit 3 batters.

"They decided they wanted to hit," said Elgin coach Jenna Szabo. "They weren't seeing the ball well, and then I told them that she was pitching them outside all day, so I told them to take it to right and that's what they did."

Brynne Farnsworth got the win in relief for Larkin. She took over in the fifth and, after allowing 2 runs, retired the final 7 Elgin batters.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.