North's Roggemann throws Elgin a curve

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St. Charles North junior Christine Roggemann discovered a new go-to pitch on Tuesday against Elgin in an Upstate Eight Conference game.

After a complete game that included 10 strikeouts and one hit allowed in a 5-0 victory, Roggemann will likely be going to the drop curveball more often in the future to complement her fastball and changeup.

"I haven't seen her throw that pitch much this year," North coach April Stary said. "She really seemed to have [Elgin] off balance. Whatever [catcher Kristin Damm]was calling [Roggemann] was pitching and they were just on together.

"I expected Elgin to hit the ball, but she threw really well. Kudos to her."

Elgin's lone hit was an infield single by junior Caris Alan in the second inning. Outside of that, the Maroons (1-13, 1-7) were unable to get the ball out of the infield against Roggemann, who walked two.

"[Damm] knew how to call them today," said Roggemann, who improved to 4-0. "This is the first time I've really mixed it up that much and I think I figured out that it works."

North (13-5, 7-3) plated two runs against Elgin pitcher Kelly Patchett (0-11) in the top of the third inning after four of the first five batters reached on base hits, ignited by a leadoff double from Lisa Korth (2-for-4). A wild pitch from Patchett brought in the game's first run and a single by Loren Cihlar scored the second. The Maroons escaped further damage by turning a 1-3-2 double play to end the inning.

The North Stars then tacked on another run in the fourth on a two-out bloop RBI base hit by Sydney Russell (3-for-4, two stolen bases).

"We had some issues hitting the ball this past weekend," said Stary, whose team came into the game on a season-high three-game losing streak. "We didn't hit the ball great, but we had some timely hits and we started to put some things together."

North added two runs in the top of the seventh on three base hits -- including an RBI single by Natalie Capone -- and an error that led to an unearned run.

Elgin's best opportunity to score came in the sixth inning after junior Erica Ramirez drew a one-out walk. Ramirez was then sacrificed to second -- the only time the Maroons advanced a runner past first base -- but was stranded when Alan grounded out to end the inning. Earlier, Elgin's Lindsey Morrow led off the second inning with a walk, but stayed put after three straight strikeouts.

"We continue to make progress, but we've just got to be able to score some runs," Elgin coach Peg Corcoran said. "We've struggled to get runners on base and when we do we just can't get that key hit. The last couple times out our defense has gotten better and we are making the plays in the field, but we are putting a lot of pressure on our defense because we are not scoring runs."

Patchett scattered 12 hits and did not walk a batter while striking out two. She retired six of seven batters during one stretch in the fifth and sixth innings.

"Patchett threw a nice game," said Corcoran, whose team will host rival Larkin on Thursday. "[North] was just able to put the ball in play a few more times and come up with the key hits when they needed them."