Schaumburg, Elk Grove in one powerful MSL matchup
If Thursday's 42nd annual Mid-Suburban League softball championship is anything like the game Schaumburg and Elk Grove played on the first day of the month, then it promises to keep fans glued to their seats.
Three weeks ago, Illinois State recruit Shannon Felde edged the Grenadiers 6-5 after EG sophomore Kyle Thomsen took a no-hitter and 1-0 lead into the fifth inning.
The host Saxons scored all 6 of their runs in that inning for a 6-1 cushion before Elk Grove charged back to within 1 run and had the tying run on base when the game ended on a deep fly out to right field.
In that game, Saxons catcher Elaine Walker belted her 18th homer of the season to tie the single-season record for a Mid-Suburban League player previously held by current Arkansas Razorback Loren Krzysko, who hit 18 for Barrington in 2013.
Brianna Leach and Marjorie Sloan each hit homers in the game for EG.
The two teams have not stopped hitting the long ball.
Schaumburg (25-1, 16-0) now takes a school-record 57 homers into today's 4:30 p.m. showcase while Elk Grove (26-7, 12-4) has also smacked a school record of 52.
Walker leads the Saxons with 21 homers (3 shy of the single season state record) while junior third baseman Sarah Pauscher is tops for EG with 17. Both are their program's all-time leaders in home runs.
Coach Ellen Stoddard Abreu (former Fremd standout pitcher) led Schaumburg to its first divisional title since 1996 (under coach Kay Winkelhake) and second in school history (first in 1979 under Diane Ross).
"They are extremely talented," said Hall of Fame Elk Grove coach Ken Grams, who will coach in his 22nd championship game (five MSL titles and 20 MSL division titles in 35 seasons). "It's a team with a lot of good individuals who have had a terrific season."
Leading the way for Schaumburg (60 or more at-bats) have been Walker (. 584), junior Paige Alt (.568, 11 homers), senior Shannon Felde (.516, 7 homers), junior Christina Candotti (.464, 6 homers), senior Roxy Kakareka (.439, 2 homers), Kaiden Jackson (.415, 3 homers), junior Natalie Napier (. 357, 1 homer), Michelle Birkholz (.319, 2 homers) and junior Sarah Schwind (.275). Teammates Michaela Encarnarcion (3) and Alex Cook (1) have also hit homers,
On the mound Alt is 15-0 and Felde is 10-1.
The Saxons have won 24 straight games, their only loss a 6-2 decision to St. Charles North in the second game of the season.
"Schaumburg came into the season with great expectations and to their credit, they pulled it out," said Grams, the second-winningest coach in IHSA softball history with 843 wins. "To go through that West division without a loss is quite impressive."
The conference included state powerhouses Barrington (25-6), Fremd (24-6) and Conant (20-7).
The Grenadiers' offense has also been impressive, clicking for 52 home runs following a season in which they belted 45.
Top hitters for Elk Grove are senior Brianna Leach (.500, 12 homers), Pauscher (.496), sophomore Haley Itzenthaler (.447, 1 homer), junior Alex Masnica (.420, 5 homers), senior Melissa Picchi (.413), senior Marjorie Sloan (. 411, 2 homers), senior Shannon Taucher (.365, 4 homers) and senior Aleece Duffy (.300, 1 homer). Thomsen has 6 homers while Tayler Merkel and Abbey Sloan have 2 each.
Thomsen (12-3), sophomore Sabra Morton (8-3) and junior Anna Bonder (6-0) handle the pitching duties.
"We've just got to keep trying to do the things we've been doing well," Grams said. "We have to make things happen offensively and make the plays defensively."
Schaumburg, which was 26-9 a year ago, enters the game with its first undefeated conference record in school history.
"We have to keep doing what we've been doing all season," said Abreu, who is in her fifth season. "Consistent pitching, solid defense and smart at-bats.
"These girls have worked very hard. They're a great group and get along very well. They are very driven athletes who play to win."