Walker, Schaumburg slug past Prospect

Schaumburg finally shook free from Prospect in the final two innings to keep its 1-game lead over Fremd in the Mid-Suburban League West softball race.

The game was tied 1-1 when the Saxons (19-1, 10-0) scored 3 runs in the top of the sixth and 7 more in the seventh for an 11-1 victory on Monday in Mt. Prospect.

Senior Elaine Walker's 19th homer of the season in the seventh inning broke the all-time single season record by a MSL softball player. Barrington's Loren Krzysko hit 18 in 2013.

The Saxons opened the scoring in the top of the second when Christina Candotti (3-for-4, grand slam, 4 RBI) singled with one out and was forced out at second base on a fielder's choice by Natalie Napier.

Michelle Birkholz and Roxy Kakareka followed with singles to score Napier for a 1-0 lead.

Prospect (8-12, 3-7) answered with a run in the bottom of the third when Emily Saenz reached on a dropped third strike and went to third on a one-out double by Rachel Trebswether (2-for-3).

Saenz scored on a sacrifice fly by Casey Lenski to make it 1-1.

Fantastic outfield plays by both teams highlighted the first five innings.

Kelly Marshall had three tough catches in right field for Prospect while Sarah Schwind was producing diving catches for the Saxons.

In the fifth inning, Schwind caught freshman Alyssa Cacini's deep drive to left at the 194-foot mark and followed with a diving snare of Trebswether's line drive down the left field line.

Schaumburg's offense got rolling with 3 home runs in the final two innings.

Rory Kakareka hit a 3-run homer to right in the sixth followed by Candiotti's grand slam and Elaine Walker's 3-run homer in the seventh.

Senior Shannon Felde (9-1) earned the win (10 strikeouts) over Delihah Malczewski (4-6).

"We made 13 errors two days ago (doubleheader at Stevenson) and had none today," said Prospect coach Jim Adair. "We hung right in there with the best team in the area for five innings.

"My team was proud of how it played for most of the game and my kids feel like this wasn't an 11-1 game. Schaumburg is a great-hitting team, there's no doubt about it. But its outfield, especially Schwind in left, made one great play after another."

Elk Grove 10, Palatine 3: Elk Grove (21-5, 8-2) moved back into sole possession of first place in the MSL East as sophomore Kylie Thomsen (8-3) threw a 6-hitter with 6 strikeouts.

Sarah Pauscher (3-for-4, 3 RBI) belted her 16th homer of the season (2-run shot in the sixth), giving the host Grens 44 for the season, one shy of the school record.

Other top hitters for EG were Brianna Leach (3-for-4, Haley Itzenthaler (3-for-3, 2 doubles) and Marjorie Sloan (2-for-4, 3 RBI). Shannon Taucher added a double for the Grens.

Maddie Craver was 2-for-4 for Palatine (8-14, 4-6).

Barrington 13, Hersey 2 (6 inn.): Sophomore Rachel Krzysko (fourth) and freshman Catherine McMahon (first) hit homers for the visiting Fillies (20-5, 8-2), who have won 20 or more games for 23 consecutive seasons.

Multiple hitters for the Fillies were junior Rachel McDonald (3-for-3, double, 3 RBI) and freshman Julia Kozar (2-for-3, RBI). Junior Kelly Katis added a RBI double.

Senior Keenan Dolezal (19-5) earned the win, with 9 strikeouts and no walk in 4⅓ innings while McMahon struck out four in 1⅔ innings.

Hannah Graff, Katie Wingerter and Kaitlyn Denten had the hits for Hersey (7-14, 1-9).

Hoffman Estates 10, Wheeling 6: Hoffman (10-12, 3-7) was led on offense by Mary Bean (2-for-5), Giselle Velazquez (RBI), Jordyn Fera (3-for-5, RBI), Tracy Osimowicz (RBI), Megan Olsen (RBI), Alexus Venegas (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Veronica Cardella (2-for-4, RBI).

Winning pitcher Charlotte Allan (3-4) struck out four while Remy Jankowski had three for the Wildcats (3-14, 2-8).

Top hitters for Wheeling were Nikki Mikosz (2-for-3, double, RBI), Christina Ambrose (1-for-4, 2 RBI) and Jankowski (2-for-3),

Conant 13, Rolling Meadows 1 (5 inn.): Hailey Rothstein (2-for-4, 2 runs, double), Dream Aaron (3-for-4, 3 runs) and Morgan Bihun (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 runs) each belted home runs for the visiting Cougars (16-5, 7-3).

Other top hitters for Conant were Elisa Ambrose (2-for-4), Kim Zaucha (2-for-3, 2 runs, double) and Rachel Falbo (3-for-4, double, 2 runs).

Sam Gadomski (7-0) earned the win with 12 strikeouts in five innings while Meadows' Lydia Schlutz struck out three. Amanda Elkins belted a homer for RM (2-19, 0-10) while Paige Connor had the Mustangs' other hit.

New Trier 16, Maine West 2: Annemarie Weber (home run) and Alyssa Pegoraro each went 2-for-3 for the Warriors (7-11) in the CSL crossover.