Softball: Weaver, Psyhogios blast homers in Libertyville’s one-sided win

Freshman McKenna Weaver is glad she could join the fun that started for Libertyville’s softball team during last year’s surprising run to a sectional title game.

Weaver had a blast Thursday with her first homer to support junior career strikeout leader Taylor Higham’s return to the pitcher’s circle. Fourth-year starter Emily Psyhogios hit her fourth homer and Higham threw a 4-hitter for Libertyville (11-4) in a 13-0 nonconference win in 5 innings over visiting St. Viator (8-11).

“Everyone here is a leader and they’ve all made me feel so welcome,” Weaver said after going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI. “Everyone is friends on the team and you feel like you can be yourself.”

Higham, who had a 2-run double in the first, had 4 strikeouts and 1 walk after not pitching the last 3 games with a leg issue. A big reason the Wildcats are on a 5-game winning streak is Weaver stepped up and threw consecutive no-hitters against Zion-Benton and Lake Forest with 18 and 13 strikeouts.

“I felt I was able to pick her up well and that was a good mental boost for me,” Weaver said.

“It was nice to be able to rest and I felt good,” Higham said. “We need two good pitchers to win.”

Libertyville displayed strong plate discipline by taking 12 walks. Shortstop and leadoff hitter Zoe Kinsella, another four-year starter, drew three and singled to score 4 runs.

Maddy Kleeman and freshman Jules Figurelli had singles. And Libertyville coach Dar Townsend likes the tone from the senior class that includes Siena Zombolo, Callie Hill, Sofia Lombardo and Natalie Engman.

“We have good senior leaders,” Townsend said. “All six of them are really great leaders and they’ve created a nice culture.”

Higham called it “super fun” as Libertyville has won 8 of its last 9 games.

“The way we ended last year made us more motivated to come in this year,” Higham said. “Last year at the end we were playing for each other and that’s what we’ve done this year from the beginning.”

Viator’s top pitcher, freshman Carley Heiden, is dealing with arm issues, but coach John Scotillo hopes she can return soon. Seniors Alexis Horn, Gemma Del Boccio and Ellen Denten stepped up to pitch Thursday.

“I couldn’t have been prouder of them and they all wanted to do it,” Scotillo said. “We’ve been in a little bit of a (hitting) slump now, but we’re gonna come out of it.”

Mia Lund and Kayli Burke combined for three nice catches in left field. Lund, Anastasia Papaioannou, Bella Gounaris and Lia Horn had Viator’s hits.