Maine West Sports Roundup: Softball Takes Lead in CSL North

Softball: Through mid-April Maine West’s (13-8) softball team found itself struggling. The Warriors were 3-6 and they weren’t executing the routine plays that good teams make on a consistent basis.

But ever since a conference victory over Deerfield, Maine West has been on a roll, winning 10 of 11 games and vaulting into first place in the CSL North.

“We’ve been getting great pitching every time out. We’ve been playing a lot better defense,” Maine West coach Mike Murin said. “The big key for us offensively is that we’ve been getting some timely hits with runners on base and taking advantages of other teams’ mistakes.”

The Warriors’ only loss came against Palatine in the championship game of the Rolling Meadows Stampede Tournament on April 30, but the Warriors have dominated conference foes. They rallied to beat Niles North, who previously gave Maine West its only in-conference loss this season, and are now one game clear of Glenbrook North and Niles North in the standings.

“It was a big win for us. We actually thought we had them at their place the first time,” Murin said. “But it was a big win for our girls.”

One of the reasons for the Warriors’ midseason turnaround has been the pitching of sophomore Ariel Valles. She fired a no-hitter earlier in the season, but has been more consistent of late.

“She throws strikes and she’s not afraid to challenge the better hitters,” Murin said. “She has great movement on her ball and she’s great with location.”

Because of Maine West’s recent streak, the Warriors garnered the No. 3 seed in the IHSA Class 4A Winnetka Sectional. But Murin sees winning a conference title as the first team goal to accomplish.

“There are a few conference games we want to take care of first,” Murin said. “We just want to continue to play good solid softball and I think we’re doing that every time we step out on the field.”

Girls Soccer: Maine West won two of its last three games, splitting a pair of CSL North contests. Behind two goals from Jessica Gonzalez, the Warriors beat Maine East 3-0. They followed that up with a 2-0 win against Taft. Kelly Ceri and Cara Franke each had a goal for Maine West.

The Warriors’ only loss came at the hands of Glenbrook North, 4-0, on May 5.

Baseball: Maine West’s (8-10) up-and-down season continued with a 3-1 week that included two CSL North wins. After defeating Deerfield, 3-2, Maine West crushed Waukegan in five innings, 14-2.

The Warriors fell 5-3 to Evanston, but edged Niles North in a 3-2 win on May 3.

SCOREBOARD WATCHING:

Boys Volleyball:

Maine West defeats Niles North 14-25, 25-21, 25-23 on May 3

Glenbrook North defeats Maine West 25-9, 25-17 on May 5

Girls Water Polo:

Conant 12, Maine West 6 on May 3

Libertyville 15, Maine West 8 on May 5

Boys Tennis:

Niles North 4, Maine West 3 on May 2

Boys Water Polo:

Conant 13, Maine West 2 on April 29

St. Viator 14, Maine West 1 on April 29