Hornets fall short in Van Hout's debut

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:52PM

Kelly Van Hout's second game as Hinsdale South's new softball coach could have ended better Monday.

The Hornets had the tying run at second base with one out, but a baserunning error ended Hinsdale South's rally in a nonconference game at Glenbard South. The Raiders won 7-6, but there were plenty of thrills in the top of the seventh inning as Hinsdale South scored five runs on four hits after trailing 7-1.

Before the Hornets' big inning, Glenbard South pitcher Dani Chitkowski (1-0) limited Hinsdale South (0-2) to only one run on three hits. The Hornets opened the game with a run when leadoff hitter Lindsay Schwarz singled and later scored on a two-out single by Cecie Portillo.

Both teams faced a common opponent in their season opener last week. Glenbard South (2-0) beat Wheaton Warrenville South 11-9 while the Hornets lost to WW South 16-5 Friday in Van Hout's coaching debut at Hinsdale South.

"I think we are trying to find a way to gel," Van Hout said. "We're trying to get together. We'll find the right combination, but it will take some time. I don't know what they did in years past."

Chitkowski cruised until the first three Hornets batters reached base to start the seventh. Schwarz (2-for-4, two runs) drove in two runs with a single to left field and then two more runs scored when Amy Narotsky reached second on an error. Dana Capocci (2-for-3) singled and went to second on a walk.

The game ended when Lauren Cairo brought in Nartosky on a sacrifice fly, but Capocci was thrown out at third attempting to advance.

"The more you see, the more confidence they had in seeing pitches," Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda said of the Hornets' late rally. "You can see they have some good hitters. You have to give them credit."

Glenbard South scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth off Narotsky (0-2). Narotsky did not retire any of the first six batters she faced and was replaced by Jessica Andree, who allowed only two runs and three hits the rest of the game.

"We came back, but we're learning every day," Van Hout said. "Our defense struggled in Game 1, but we were more solid today."

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