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By Dave Fanne Rain, rain and definitely more rain. Mother Nature has been kind with the pleasant tempera tures, but one element lacking is a little water. Likewise, the USA Strutters have been dry in the run scoring department this season. But on Friday Melissa Swiatek helped open a floodgate of offense, lead ing the Strutters (13-16) to an 8- 3 win against defending tourney champion Homer Hawks (22-7) in the opening round of the South Holland 18-and under Fastpitch Invitational at Thornwood High School. “We actually went 42 innings without scoring a run at one stretch,” said USA Strutters Manager Ron Bal. “Everybody was in a slump at one time, but last weekend in Rockford we scored 50 runs in six games. “Everybody up and down the lineup has been hitting very good. I’m very confident what we're going to do this weekend.” Leadoff batter Swiatek (Queen of Peace) continued to knock in runs with a potent bat, going three-for-four, including a triple, good for five runs. The shortstop looped a single into right field in the second scoring Lynne Wegrzyn (Queen of Peace), who reached on an infield hit, and Lauren Delany (Mother McAuley), who was aboard on an error. In the fifth, Swiatek helped put the game out of reach with a triple to dead center which rolled past a diving Rochelle Lee (Thornwood) and went to the fence clearing the bases which were packed full of Strutters. “I'm more relaxed up at the plate, and I’m just waiting for the right pitch,” Swiatek said. “I’m just trying to hit with runners on base and in scoring position. I think our whole team offense is getting better.” “She’s our best, absolutely the best,” Bal said. “She’s been hit ting in the clutch for us and is just outstanding on defense.” The Hawks had drawn to with in 4-3 after a three-run fourth, but the Strutters answered with Speown in the top of the Kim Zale (two-for-four with an RBI and a run scored) and Amy Leatherman (Mr. Assisi) each singled to start the inning. With one out, Tracey Boruta (Queen of Peace) loaded the bases with another single. Zale scored on a fielder’s choice when Wegrzyn tapped a ball to third base. With the bases still full with Strutters, Swiatek strolled to the plate and delivered the knockout punch. Swiatek had the edge from the batter’s box and teammate Boruta was as sharp from the pitching rubber allowing only four hits for three runs, one was earned. Boruta struck out four and walked three, including a pair in the fourth helping the Hawks with their offensive output. “We didn’t have a good offen sive day. We played a good national ball club and her pitch ing was throwing us off a little,” Homer Manager Jim Calderone said. “We're missing some key players to injury, so we're just coming out here to get some work done.” The Hawks cracked the scoring column in the fourth when lead off batter Gina Calderone (Lockport) walked. With two outs, Jeanette McCann (Lockport) ripped a triple to the left field corner. Beth Brinkman drew the second walk of the inning putting runners at first and third. Katie Moran (Thornwood) hit a fly to center field, but Amy Leatherman mis played the ball which scored two runs, HOMER 0... cseeeeeseeen OO — Boruta and Wegrzyn — Dodge and Harris.
Newspaper Details
Orland Park Star
Orland Park, Illinois, US
Sun, Jul 07, 1996
Page 40
Full Page
Clipped by
Bruce L.
USA 17 Jan 2026
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