Palatine gets Pauly's first win
Nicole Pauly, who won well over 50 games as an all-area player for Palatine's softball team, got her first win as the Pirates coach on Monday.
The former Northwestern infielder and professional softball player watched her Pirates edge visiting Grant 6-5 in the nonconference game as freshman Maddie Craver (1-0) earned the complete game win with 3 strikeouts and 2 earned runs.
Leading the Pirates offense were Victoria Parrott (2-for-3, RBI), Mackenzie Craver (2-for-3, double, RBI), Maddie Craver (1-for-1, 3 walks, stolen base, RBI), Emily Griffin (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Cassandra Kerlin, who had the game-ending RBI.
Maddie Craver got the win in her first varsity start.
Kerlin stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and the game tied at 5-5.
With an 0-2 count, she hit a deep flyball to left field that allowed Parrott to tag up and score the winning run.
The Pirates scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first after falling behind 2-0.
Nora Walsh started the rally with a double to left, followed by a bunt single by Maria Howell, which moved Walsh to third base. Parrott's sacrifice fly scored Walsh for the Pirates' first run.
Griffin singled up the middle to score Howell and tie the game. Mackenzie Craver then drew a walk before Maddie Craver drove home Griffin.
With runners at first and third, Maddie Craver stole second and on the attempted throw, Mackenzie Craver was able to score.
The Pirates added one more run in the second inning when Maria Howell singled and came home an RBI by Emily Griffin.
Elk Grove 10, Lane Tech 0 (6 inn): Senior designated player Tayler Merkel, batting second, went 2-for-4 with a home run, double and 4 RBI to lead the Grens' offense.
It was the 35th home opener for Grens Hall of Fame coach Ken Grams, whose team is now 2-1.
Other multiple hitters for the Grens were Marjorie Sloan (2-for-3, 3 RBI, double), Shannon Taucher (2-for-3, home run) and Alex Masnica (2-for-4).
Sophomore Sabra Morton (2-0) struck out 10 batters while making her second varsity start and tossing a 4-hitter with 2 walks.
"She did a very nice job," Grams said. "Her first two outings have been very good. It's a good start to her varsity career."
Merkel now has 2 homers for the season and it was Taucher's first. The Grens have six homers for the season.
Schaumburg 10, St. Ignatius 0: Schaumburg junior Paige Alt threw a 3-hitter with 7 strikeouts as the host Saxons opened their season by collecting 10 hits.
Leading the way were Shannon Felde (3-for-4, double, RBI), Alt (2-for-4, home run, 2 RBI) and Michelle Birkholz (1-for-3, home run, 3 RBI).
Elaine Walker, Brittney Butt, Christina Candotti and Natalie Napier also had hits for the Saxons.
Hoffman Estates 3, Streamwood 1: Tracy Osimowicz (3-1) earned the win for the host Hawks who improved to 4-1.
Hoffman scored all 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth after falling behind 1-0 in the top of the sixth
Osimowicz and freshman teammate Giselle Velezquez each doubled.
St. Viator 13, Maine East 3: Jenna Breslin had 3 hits and 4 RBI while Olivia Michalik (triple, double) had 2 RBI as the Lions (1-3) won their first game. Cam Vanvalkenburg also doubled for Viator.
The Lions scored 5 runs in the sixth inning.
The big rally started with singles by Cara Haubner and Krystal Harris. They scored on Michalik's double which was followed by Breslin's second triple.
The inning was capped with singles by Grace Kaiser, Haley Robinson and Adie Swiderski.
"We had the lead in our first two games but couldn't hold it." said Lion coach John Scotillo. "It was nice to not only hold them but also extend the lead in the sixth."
Senior pitcher Krystal Harris earned her first win of the season.