Kelly Bremer’s blasts push Elgin past West Chicago

Not only has the weather warmed up the past couple days, but so has the Elgin offense. After scoring 15 runs Tuesday the Maroons clobbered three home runs Wednesday in a 6-2 Upstate Eight crossover win against visiting West Chicago.

Kelly Bremer hit two thunderous long balls well over the left field fence and had three RBI. Anna Eckholm also homered for the Maroons (3-5, 2-0).

“Since the start of the season we have seen bits and pieces of what we are capable of,” Elgin coach Nick Bumbales said. “The last couple days it has really come together for us. I thought this game would be a good measuring stick of where we are at and I am very pleased with the outcome.”

“Our top players all came through in a big way. Those two home runs Kelly hit were impressive. I don’t think I have ever seen a player put two balls up on the hill out there in the same game.”

Bremer blasted a two-run homer with two outs in the first inning to give the Maroons a 2-1 lead and added a solo shot in the fifth inning.

I think it was just a matter of time before we started hitting,” Bremer said. “It’s got contagious. I was just focusing on keeping my head down on the ball and using my hips to power through. I wanted to stay off her curve ball and I got a couple nice fastballs to drive.”

Jennah Perryman (2-1) went the distance on the mound for the Maroons. She scattered six hits while striking out 12 and walking three.

The senior hurler was able to work out of a big jam in the fifth inning. The Wildcats had already pulled to within 4-2 and had runners on second and third with no outs, but Perryman struck out the three, four and five batters to end the threat.

“I was getting a little nervous,” Perryman said. “I just concentrated more on spinning my rise ball and hitting my spots. Kelly [Bremer] did a great job behind the plate of helping me get through it.”

Jessica Rago added a two-run single in the fourth inning for the Maroons.

West Chicago (4-3, 1-1) left eight runners stranded.

“We knew against their pitcher that the key was going to be putting the ball in play,” West Chicago coach Kim Wallner said. “We weren’t able to do that when we needed to the most and it cost us. I give her a lot of credit. She made some big pitches.”

Tatiana Rich and Hannah Gelhaar each had RBI singles for West Chicago. Jenna Foreman went 3-for-4. Starting pitcher Amy Goldsmith went the distance and took the loss.