Freshman Payton Cherep, sophs Olivia Milton and Jillienne Pittman, and juniors Hannah Florian and Lila Miller slam home runs in Chesterton’s 14-6 softball win at Valparaiso

Staff report

The Chesterton softball team’s hot-hitting ways continued Tuesday night in a 14-6 win at Valparaiso.
The Trojans blasted not one, not two, not three, not four, but five home runs, improved to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the DAC with their third consecutive victory.
They did not hit a home run in the first seven games of the season and have had seven in the past two games, three off the bat of sophomore catcher Olivia Milton.
In continuing the offensive explosion, Chesterton ran its winning streak to three games. During the streak against Illiana Christian, Portage and Valpo, the Trojans averaged 13 runs. In the four games leading into the active winning streak, all losses, Chesterton averaged 2.25 runs per game.
Chesterton amassed 20 hits vs. the Vikings (6-7, 2-4). In addition to Milton, the Trojans benefited from home runs by Jillienne Pittman, Payton Cherep, Hannah Florian and Lexi Smith. Pittman, Florian and Lila Miller hit doubles. The Trojans went 20 for 38 at the plate with eight extra base hits.
Pittman went 4 for 4, scored two runs, drove in two, doubled and homered, lifting her batting average to .448. Miller went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI , Florian went 3 for 5 with three runs and two RBI, Cherep went 3 for 5 with a run and and RBI and Smith drove in four runs.
Cherep earned the pitching victory after allowing six runs (four earned) on 12 hits in six-plus innings. She walked one and struck out six beofre giving way to Florian, who picked up the final three outs, all on strikeouts.
The Trojans is in fourth place in a conference that has Lake Central alone at the top at 6-0 and Crown Point and LaPorte tied for second at 5-1.
Chesterton plans to continue the hit parade today at home against Merrillville, which is 1-5 in the DAC.