MAPLE PARK – The Kaneland softball team struggled in a Northern Illinois Big 12 East home game against DeKalb on May 9, losing, 14-1, in six innings.
The Barbs (17-6 overall, 8-3 Northern Illinois Big 12 East) scored 11 runs between the fourth and sixth innings, benefiting from four Kaneland errors in that span.
Kaneland's lone run came in the bottom of the fourth, when Courtney Davis singled home Hannah Theobald. Newport struck out seven in the win, allowing six hits in the game – including a single and a double to Morgan Weber. Newport came an out away from a no-hitter on Thursday against Yorkville, then recorded shutouts Friday and Saturday against Ottawa and Dundee-Crown.
The loss was the fourth straight for the Knights (14-12, 4-6), all in the conference. Coach Mike Kuefler said he "was not going to comment on" both how he thought his team played against DeKalb, and what needs to change for the Knights to come away with the win in the rematch – which will be at 6:45 p.m. May 12 at the Northern Illinois softball field.
Kuefler did say he was impressed with Newport's performance.
"Morgan Newport threw an exceptional game," Kuefler said. "She had us off-balance most of the game. We gave them some opportunities, they took advantage of them, and that was it."
Batavia 18, Larkin 1 (5 inn.): At Elgin, Batavia rolled to an Upstate Eight Conference River Division victory behind Ashley McNamara, who went 3 for 4 with a home run and six RBIs. Kaylan Waldron (three innings) and Alena Theis limited Larkin to three hits.
West Aurora 2, St. Charles North 0: At St. Charles, Jillian Waslawski allowed just three hits in the circle, but one was a two-run home run as St. Charles North (16-4, 11-2 UEC River) was shut out in the UEC crossover contest. West Aurora ace Hannah Beatus struck out 11 in a one-hitter.
BASEBALL
St. Charles North 4, Waubonsie Valley 3: At St. Charles, Sam Faith's two-run single and Brendan Joyce's game-winning sacrifice fly propelled North (23-3).
Kaneland 13, Yorkville 0 (6 inn.): At Yorkville, Matt O'Sullivan stymied Yorkville, scattering one hit, two walks and 10 strikeouts. O'Sullivan also went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Jack Marshall added two hits and three RBIs for Kaneland (11-8, 7-2 NI Big 12 East).
Brother Rice 1, Marmion 0: At Chicago, Marmion challenged highly-regarded Brother Rice in Chicago Catholic League play. Nick Brummel threw six innings of one-run ball, scattering eight hits and four strikeouts.
BOYS WATER POLO
Metea Valley Sectional opening round: Stagg 11, St. Charles North 10: At St. Charles, North suffered a season-ending loss. Stagg advanced to face Naperville Central in a sectional quarterfinal at 5 p.m. May 11.
BOYS TENNIS
Batavia 7, Larkin 0: At Elgin, Batavia earned an Upstate Eight Conference River Division sweep to secure a 5-1 duals record. The Bulldogs enter this weekend's conference tournament in second-place position.
• Shaw Media's Eddie Carifio contributed to this report.