Niles North was more than willing to take advantage of 18 Leyden errors on Saturday as the Vikings swept a nonconference doubleheader, 16-5 in 6 innings and 17-7 in 5 innings, at The Stadium at the Ballpark at Rosemont.
“Making the pitchers throw an extra three, four, five outs is just unacceptable,” Eagles coach Kurt Schuett said.
While Leyden’s defense was ice cold, Niles North’s offense was red hot, led by junior Stephanie Donado, who had a three-run homer in the first game and finished the day with a total of eight RBI.
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“I’ve been in a slump lately so I just wanted to make contact and help the team out,” Donado said. “I wasn’t trying to hit a home run; I just wanted to make contact and if it goes far, it goes far.”
Junior Carolyn Dwyer earned the win in the opener, while junior classmate Juliana Livieri picked up the victory in the finale for Niles North (5-2).
Junior Kendall Duwall led the way for Leyden (2-2), going 4-for-7 with three triples and a double.
“We just have to keep our heads up and stay positive,” said Sammi Caputo, a four-year starter for the Eagles. “We have to keep trying to do the best we can.”
Rob Valentin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.