Bieda makes an impact for Fremd

Playing her first season on the Fremd varsity softball team, Emily Bieda wasted little time making her presence felt.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, the sophomore third baseman singled up the middle to score Tracy Welninski from third base for the winning run in Fremd’s 2-1 victory over Prairie Ridge on Thursday in Palatine.

Vikings senior Ashlynne Schwantz (2-0) threw a 2-hitter with 12 strikeouts to outduel Wolves ace Kirsten Stevens, who struck out 13 and threw a 3-hitter.

The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third but Fremd (3-0) tied it in the bottom half of the inning on a one-out home run to right-center by junior right fielder Kayla Kaufman.

Welninski started the Vikes’ eighth-inning rally with a bunt single.

“That was TJ’s (assistant T.J. Valacak) call,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “He kept bugging me to do that.”

Welninski stole second and got to third on a wild pitch before Bieda’s one-out game-winner.

Conant 11, Crystal Lake Central 6 (8 inn.): Senior Miranda Cavin (3-for-5, 4 RBI) and sophomore Hailey Rothstein (2-for-4, 2 runs) each homered for visiting Conant, which scored 5 runs in the top of the eighth inning.

Other top hitters for the Cougars were Sarah Thompson (2-for-5, 2 runs), Rachel O’Malley (3-for-5, double), Dream Aaron (3-for-3, 2 RBI) and Elisa Ambrose (2-for-5, 1 run).

Freshman Kali Schumacher (2-0) pitched the final four innings, striking out four and giving up 5 hits to earn the win.

Elk Grove 11, York 6: The host Grenadiers improved to 6-0 as junior Megan Eul (4-0) threw an 8-hitter with no walks.

Leading the Grens’ offense were Elisa Payne (3-for-3, 3 runs, RBI), Brianna Leach (3-for-4, double, 2 runs, RBI) and Marjorie Sloan, who had a 2-run single and RBI groundout for 3 RBI.

Wheeling 7, Dundee-Crown 0: Katie Quagliano struck out 13 and threw a 3-hitter for host Wheeling (1-2).

Kaitlyn DeBusk (2-for-4, RBI), Sara Kern (1-for-3, RBI), Nikki Mikosz (1-for-3, RBI, double), Lauren Hart (2-for-3, double), Jackie Resnick (double), Taylor Vasey (2-for-3, RBI) and Anne Janulis (RBI) led the Wildcats’ offense.

Barrington 27, Johnsburg 0 (5 inn.): Krista Moore (4-for-5, 2 doubles, home run, 5 RBI), Loren Krzysko (3-for-4, 2 doubles, RBI), Tess Bolger (3-for-5, 3 RBI), Katie Dehnert (3-for-4, home run, 3 RBI), Raegan Fingerman (3-for-5, double, 2 RBI) and Erin Ward (3-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI) led the host Fillies (5-0).

Senior Cassidy Kraimer (2-0) threw a 2-hitter with 7 strikeouts.

St. Viator 14, Marian Central 1 (5 inn.): Michelle Presslak (3-for-3, RBI) and Sam Hogan (3-for-3, 4 RBI, double) belted back-to-back home runs in the first inning and Hogan (3-1) went on to notch her third win of the season with relief help from sophomore Krystal Harris (2-for-4, 3 RBI).

Shortstop Tess Kaiser was the defensive star for the Lions (3-1), making a diving catch and a backhand stop deep in the hole.

Lions leadoff batter Gina Mastrodomenico went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and a double.

Oak Park-River Forest 2, Leyden 1: Kelly Bjorvik (2-for-3) and Sammi Caputo (1-for-3, double) led the Eagles’ offense.

Caputo pitched all 7 innings for Leyden (1-3), giving up 4 hits, no earned runs and striking out one.

Wednesday’s game: Schaumburg’s Roxanne Kakareka (1-0) threw a 4-hitter to blank Evanston 4-0 as Saxons senior Carly Brossard hit a home run.

Shannon Felde went 2-for-4 while Julia Bellinger (RBI), Kelly Poplar and Elaine Walker had hits for the Saxons (4-0). Kakareka and teammate Lindsay Leiber also had RBI.