Sofball: West Aurora pulls away from Rosary

Updated: April 5, 2012 9:49PM

A cold, northeast wind was blowing in from center field, but the West Aurora offense warmed to the task, pounding out 14 hits Thursday in a 17-7 five-inning win over visiting Rosary.

Junior third baseman Ally Wayzer led the way, going 4-for-4 with a double and four RBI for the Blackhawks, who benefitted from four Royals errors. West has won three of its last four games after starting the season 0-7.

“I think we’re meshing better,” Wayzer said. “There are a lot of new girls on the team. I think we’re figuring out how each other plays.”

Added West coach Sara Nagy, “We’ve really caught our stride.”

While it was decided by the 10-run rule, this one wasn’t as easy as it might appear. Rosary spotted West an 8-2 lead after three innings but pulled within 8-7 with a five-run fourth highlighted by Sam Phelps two-run single.

The Blackhawks answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth and six more in the fifth.

“That’s the thing that was most discouraging,” Rosary coach John Kazmierczak said. “We cut it to 8-7 and had West on their knees but we couldn’t come through. We’re hitting the ball OK, but we’re not making plays, not executing on defense.”

A runner’s interference call also helped end a potential Rosary threat in the fifth.

“I thought the cold really affected all (four) pitchers today,” said Nagy, noting her two hurlers, starter and winner Kaylee Hayton (3-4) and Gianna Drager, combined to walk seven and Rosary’s Amy Stein (0-1) and Lexi Lovetere walked six.

LeDesha Nelson and Rachael Williams (three runs, two RBI) added three hits each for the Blackhawks. Alexis Harkless reached base three times and scored three runs and leadoff hitter LaRi Mitchell singled, walked twice, stole three bases and scored three times.

Maddie Merritt, Phelps and Maddie Hemmerich all had two hits each for the Royals (2-8).

The non-conference, neighborhood rivals could meet again next weekend. Both are in the six-team Fox Valley Tournament hosted by West at the Stuart Park Complex that includes Batavia, Metea Valley, Oswego and Yorkville.

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