Softball / Northwest roundup
Defending Mid-Suburban East softball champion Buffalo Grove clinched at least a tie for another title on Wednesday with a 5-3 victory over visiting Elk Grove.
The Bison (17-8, 11-3) won their tenth straight game as Julia Camardo (14-4) struck out seven, walked one and also won her tenth straight game.
"The key was Julia being on control and we played really good defense," said Bison coach Jamie Paul. "We were super excited. The key was keeping their hitters off balance and Julia did a great job."
Junior Caitlin Catino did a great job in the batter's box, where she connected for her first multi home run game.
She hit a 2-run blast to left in the second inning and a solo shot to center in the sixth, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI.
Freshman Katie Fontanetta also had a 2-run double in the Bison 4-run second inning.
Other top hitters for BG were Dea Barton (3-for-4), Katie Conley (2-for-3) and Breann Steady (double).
Becca Maher (3-for-4) and Brianna Leach (2-for-4) each hit homers for the Grens (24-6, 9-5), who also received a double from Brooke Barges.
"Now we've got to focus on our next game (Friday against Wheeling) and keep playing good softball," said Paul, who is in her fourth season.
Prospect 5, Hersey 2: The host Knights improved to 7-18 and 5-9 in the MSL East on their Senior Day.
Hersey (9-18-1, 3-11) scored first when Jessica Schmiederer reached on an infield hit and scored on her sister Angela's groundout to second.
Prospect answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the first as leadoff hitter Maggie Pancini walked and went to second on a sacrifice by Rachel Trebswether.
With two outs, Casey Lenski doubled to left center to score Pancini.
No. 5 hitter Angela Roman walked to put runners on first and second. Ally Schuldt then doubled to left center to score both runners.
Prospect added 2 runs in the bottom of the third when Trebswether and Meghan Doyle singled with one out.
Lenski (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run) then lined a single up the middle to score Trebswether.
Pinch runner Emma Gilhooly came home on a fielder's choice and an infield error off the bat of Roman.
Hersey scored in the top of the fourth when Emily Butler walked, Michelle Helminski doubled and Payton Anderson singled to score Butler.
Hersey loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but Lenski (7 innings, 6 hits, 9 strikeouts) got the next two outs on strikeouts.
"I'm not happy that we opened the door for them in the seventh inning but I'm very happy that Casey put the team on her shoulders in a tough situation and came through with some key pitches," said Prospect coach Jim Adair. "We played a very solid defensive game and hit well enough to win today.
"I had a lot of mixed emotions after the game. We won but Emma Riordan (two-year starter who has played every inning of every game the last two years) and Meghan Doyle (three years on the varsity) played their last homes and we're going to miss them a lot next year."
Fremd 9, Hoffman Estates 0: Senior right fielder Kayla Kaufman continued her personal home run parade as the Vikings improved to 17-9 and 9-5 in the MSL West.
Kaufman hit a home run for the fifth straight game and also doubled while going 3-for-4. She now has 7 homers for the spring.
Other multiple hitters for the Vikes were Alyssa Garcia (3-for-5), who belted her second home run and Molly Muhs (2-for-5, double). Joanna Josten (12-7) notched the win 3 strikeouts.
Sam Acosta (3-for-4, double) and Kajal Dalal (2-for-4) led the offense for Hoffman (13-13, 5-9).
Schaumburg 7, Palatine 0: Sophomore Paige Alt (9-2) earned the win and went 2-for-4 with a home run for the Saxons (19-7, 11-3).
Elaine Walker went 4-for-4 with a double while other Saxons hits were contributed by Shannon Felde (home run), Jamie Kudjer, Sarah Schwind, Natalie Napier and Christina Candotti.
Palatine (8-21, 3-10) received hits from Grace Rohrwasser, Nora Walsh and Shannon Surell.
Rolling Meadows 11, Wheeling 9: Chloe Prodanovic went 4-for-5 with a home run and double to lead a 20-hit attack for the visiting Mustangs.
Maddie Morgan (double) and Grace Skorin also went 4-for-5 for Meadows (5-23, 2-12).
Other multiple hitters for the visitors were Lane Winkler (2-for-5), Lauren Hattory (2-for-4) and Megan King (2-for-5).
Paige Connor went 1-for-2 with a double as Hattory notched the win with 7 strikeouts.
Katie Quagliano struck out five for Wheeling (5-22, 2-12) and also went 3-for-4 with a double.
Other offensive leaders for the hosts were Anne Janulis (4-for-5, 4 RBI), Nikki Mikosz (3-for-4), Lauren Hart (2-for-5), 2 RBI)), Megan Olsen (2-for-5, double, 2 RBI) and Alexa Fishman (triple).
Maine West 5, Niles North 2: Grace Feldkamp earned the win with 2 strikeouts and the freshman also went 2-for-4 with a triple, double, 2 RBI and 2 runs.
Alyssa Pegoraro was 3-4 with a RBI while Erin Ross went 2-3 with 2 runs and a double. Kayla Pociejewski added a double and Sadie Argus a triple for the visiting Warriors (13-11, 7-2) in the CSL North contest.