To say that Lockport’s Elena Woulfe has made hitting look easy this season is not an overstatement.
Through seven games, the Drexel recruit has posted a .654 average from the No. 2 spot in the order.
In Saturday’s 16-9 win over Downers Grove North in the title game of the Celtic Invitational, the senior outfielder was 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.
Her secret?
“It’s pretty easy to keep hitting when everyone around you is constantly hitting,” Woulfe said. “We just all keep each other up in the batting order.”
Indeed, Woulfe had plenty of company in the offensive contribution department.
The Porters (7-0) came into the game averaging 13.5 runs. They beat that with a 21-hit attack that featured 20 singles and one home run.
The homer by Courtney Schoolcraft was a three-run blast. She finished with two hits and five RBIs, while Taylor Herschbach, Tara McElligott and Emily Dybas had three hits each.
“This offense … it’s just contagious,” Woulfe said. “Everyone is always so positive and picking each other up. That’s all we’re trying to do.”
Erin Kleffman pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to shut down a Downers Grove North rally and assure the win for starter Elly Hagen.
Woulfe has been a contributor on the Porters varsity since the halfway mark of her freshman season.
Assistant coach Angela Findlay sees her as the “energy” of the team.
“Elena brings a lot,” Findlay said. “She can do so many things at the plate. She can run, she can bunt, she can slap. She puts that pressure on the defense which opens it up for our hitters later in the order.
“She just continues to be a leader for us.”
Woulfe is part of a 1-2 punch at the top of the order with Herschbach.
“I love batting behind Taylor,” Woulfe said. “She’s just so good, and gets on base almost every time. She sets the table.”
Kleffman, meanwhile, is off to a good start in her first varsity season.
The sophomore right-hander is 1-0 as a starter. She entered Saturday’s game with the Porters clinging to a 12-9 lead with two outs in the top of the fifth.
Kleffman recorded the third out on a called third strike, then retired six of the final seven batters.
“I just made sure my focus was there when I came in,” Kleffman said. “I had to trust myself with the pitches I was throwing. I knew my job was to come in, throw strikes and get outs.
“Coming up to the varsity, it’s a great feeling. Knowing the competition is strong is pushing me to work harder. It has definitely helped me build my confidence.”
Twitter @tbaranek
