The Beacon-News’ three things to know

Yorkville finished last week strong, winning four straight. The Foxes beat league rival Kaneland 5-2 Thursday, then went 3-0 to claim the title of the fifth annual Fox Valley Invitational. Yorkville beat host West Aurora, 1-0, and Metea Valley, 5-1, in pool play then topped Batavia 10-0 in six innings for crown. Freshman Bekah Hahn started the winning rally with a single in the key win vs. the Blackhawks. She scored the only run on an RBI single from one of the other two freshmen on the team, Sydney Woodworth. Senior Rachael Owens pitched title game win and went 4-for-4 at plate with two HR and four RBI.

Call them road warriors. Early postponements allowed Aurora Central to pick up three games over the weekend at the Tuscola Invitational. Coach Tom Babyar and his team traveled 185 miles south and dropped decisions to Clinton, 6-0 and perennial power Casey-Westfield, 11-4, before erupting for a 12-2 win over Oakwood for fifth place. “Pretty sure all three teams in our pool won their (place) games,” Babyar said. “I think we were the fourth, maybe third best team there.”

Expect no excuses from Geneva. After tough loss to Waubosie Valley, Vikings coach Greg Dierks said, “We’re not hanging on to any ‘young team’ label. … This is as experienced a team as any I’ve ever had. These girls have been playing year round for a long time. They are ready for this. We’re ready to hit from the top to bottom of this lineup.” Four of his first six hitters were freshmen.