The Larkin Royals will be taking part in a tournament against the St. Edward Green Wave at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Larkin is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 6.9 runs per game this season.
Larkin gave up the first runs on Thursday, but they didn't let that get them down. They put the hurt on Elmwood Park with a sharp 12-2 victory. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Royals.
Mackenzie Wemken made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over six innings while giving up just two earned runs off five hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than nine strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base. That's the most runs she has posted since back in May of 2024.
Julissa Aguinaga
| 04/17/25 vs Elmwood Park | 4 |
| 04/10/25 @ Streamwood | 3 |
| 04/15/25 vs Aurora East | 2 |
| 03/27/25 @ Ridgewood | 2 |
| 05/16/24 vs Elmwood Park | 2 |
In other batting news, Larkin got a massive performance out of Julissa Aguinaga, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with one home run, five RBI, and two runs. Those four hits gave Aguinaga a new career-high. Ali Herrick was another key player, going 2-for-3 with one home run and three runs.
Larkin always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .541. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for St. Edward, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They had just enough and edged out Marian Central Catholic 5-4.
Alaina Nolan spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered just two earned (and two unearned) runs on five hits and racked up 16 Ks.
On the hitting side, Kendall Pemberton was excellent, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI. That double was her first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Sarah Gurley, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI.
Larkin's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 5-6. The home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for St. Edward, their win bumped their record up to 4-5.
St. Edward's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Larkin has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .438. It's a different story for St. Edward, though, as they've only averaged .300. Will they be able to contain Larkin's hitters?
Larkin beat St. Edward 7-3 in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Do the Royals have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Green Wave turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
