Girls Softball: H-F Hands L-W East First Loss

Touching All the Bases: After beating Lockport in extra innings the day before, Homewood-Flossmoor avoided a letdown and kept rolling against previously unbeaten Lincoln-Way East. Vikings pitcher Sarah Burke dominated in H-F’s 4-0 win, pitching three 1-2-3 innings. Despite struggling on offense, the Griffins never surrendered, even putting two runners on base with one out in the final inning. But Burke came through again, striking out the final two batters to end the game.

Patch’s MVP: H-F pitcher Sarah Burke (8-1) pitched a complete game, striking out eight Griffins while giving up only five hits. She consistently got ahead in the count and didn’t allow a walk.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Leaders: Center fielder Jessica Markanich (1-for-2, RBI double, 2 walks) and second baseman Adrienne Contreras (1-for-2, 2 RBIs, walk) provided clutch hitting for the Vikings.

Lincoln-Way East’s Leaders: Shortstop Jorgi Calombaris (2-for-3, 2 singles) helped turn a 6-3 double play in the second inning.  

Quotable: Griffins coach Katie Meader: “They (the Vikings) absolutely deserved to win today’s game. They came out aggressive. They have a great program.”

Team Records: H-F improved to 12-4 overall and 4-0 in conference. Lincoln-Way East sits at 11-1, 2-1.

What’s Next: Both teams play Monday. The Vikings draw Bolingbrook and the Griffins visit Sandburg.