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Softball: Dundee-Crown 2nd at Larkin Slugfest

Dundee-Crown senior Sydney Ruggles made only one bad pitch to Joliet West in the Larkin Slugfest championship game at the Elgin Sports Complex on Saturday.

West, with its stingy defense, capitalized on that miscue to beat the Chargers, 3-0.

Opponents only scored once on the Tigers during the entire softball tournament.

In the top of the first, West's Sidney Budzinksi hit a 2-2 pitch over the right field fence for a 2-run homer.

"It was just a missed pitch," Ruggles said. "It didn't really spin so it just kind of hung and it went over the fence."

Ruggles then retired the next 11 batters in a row. The highlight of that stretch was the second inning when the right-hander retired the side on 10 pitches.

"Sydney Ruggles is a competitor and she doesn't get rattled on the mound and that's one her true assets," said D-C coach Tracy Beatty. "She will hold composure because she knows her team needs her to do that. And she knows how to battle back."

While Ruggles kept her team in the game, the Charger offense could not get any traction against West starting pitcher Savannah Fierke. The freshman righty allowed only four base runners during the entire game.

Kylie Ryza coaxed a walk in the second inning. Fierke gave up three 2-out hits: a Cady English double in the third, another double to Deanna Origer in the fifth and Claire Weeks' single in the sixth. In all three innings, Fierke got the next batter out to end the threat.

The Tigers scored another run in the sixth. An Alexandra Hughes' single plated Sarah Gersch.

Ruggles allowed 7 hits, struck out 10 and walked none in the complete game effort.

The Chargers (7-7) advanced to the title game by squeaking past Hampshire, 1-0, in the opening round and demolishing Larkin 18-4 in a semifinal contest. Ruggles struck out 10 and allowed just 3 hits against Hampshire and Caleigh Gertz picked up the win against Larkin.

"I thought we did a great job today. We came through and beat Hampshire 1-0 which I thought was a true battle," Beatty said. "Our true battle here has always been Joliet West. They are a solid team offensively and defensively."

St. Edward junior Jessica Kramp scored the only run on West during the day with a home run in the Green Wave's semifinal game with the Tigers. It was all the offense St. Edward could muster in the 11-1 loss.

Kramp was instrumental the Green Wave's 11-2 win over Larkin in the third place game. Her pitching held the Royals' offense in place and a key hit in the fourth inning broke open a close contest.

"The highlight of the game, was we had bases loaded, two outs and two strikes on our cleanup hitter, who is also our pitcher," said Green Wave co-coach Erv Gernand. "She cleared the bases with a double that expanded the lead. It gave us a little breathing room."

  Hampshire center fielder Sarah Bowen flinches as she clips second baseman Morgan Haefling while they both run for a fly ball hit by Dundee-Crown's Cassidy Randl at the Larkin Slugfest softball tournament Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex. Bowen caught the ball for the third out of the third inning. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Hampshire's Gwen Malecke stretches to catch a throw as Dundee-Crown's Hannah Gestrich slides safely into third base at the Larkin Slugfest softball tournament Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown pitcher Sydney Ruggles goes into her windup against Hampshire at the Larkin Slugfest softball tournament Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Hampshire's Katie Del Re pitches against Dundee-Crown at the Larkin Slugfest softball tournament Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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