Softball: Perfectly satisfying outcome for Grzelak, Conant

In four trips to the plate on Friday, Conant's leadoff batter was perfect.

Just like she has been in the classroom - since kindergarten.

Lauren Grzelak, who has never received a grade other than an A, went 2-for-2 with a walk and hit by pitch as the Cougars stayed perfect, too, with a 14-0, five-inning win over Prospect on Friday.

The junior all-area shortstop led off the Cougars' half of the first with a home run over the left-center fence, igniting a 14-hit attack in the Mid-Suburban League softball crossover.

Coach CathyAnn Smith's lineup included just one senior, catcher Dream Aaron, who clubbed her first homer of the season in the bottom of fourth (3-run blast).

The other senior for the Cougars (6-0, 3-0), Sara Neuman, did not pitch because of a bruised hand but is expected to throw in Saturday's doubleheader at Lake Park.

"So we were able to use our pitching depth," said Smith, who went with winning pitcher, junior Sara Kate Pasbrig (4 innings, 3 hits), and sophomore Jac Carlucci (1 inning, 2 hits).

They got plenty of support from the offense, which exploded for 9 runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Cougars sophomore Jackie Burchfield (4-for-4, triple) had one of her career-best 4 hits in the big inning.

"Jackie is a great kid, so dedicated," Smith said. "She always wants to work on things."

Other multiple hitters for the Cougars were junior Morgan Bihun (2-for-2, double, hit by pitch) and sophomore Makenna McCarthy (2-for-3, double).

Junior Carly Rossdeutcher also had a 2-run single and junior Sam Gadomski drew a bases-loaded walk in the 9-run rally.

"It's a young group but they're eager and hungry," Smith said of all the new faces in the lineup. "A lot of them played together on the junior varsity last year so hopefully they're used to each other and getting the nerves out. They have good bats and good gloves so we are putting the pieces together."

"I was a little nervous coming into the season with all the new players on the team but they are really getting the job done," Grzelak added. "Everyone is hitting, not just a few key people. So we are looking forward to continuing to do well in conference."

Grzelak's 2 assists in the first inning set the tone for the Cougars' defense which did not commit an error.

And, of course, Grzelak's perfect bat set the tone with her second homer this spring.

"And she is perfect in the classroom." Smith said of her three-year starter who does not plan to play collegiately. "She is so torn. She wants to be a doctor and academics is her big thing. She loves to play the game but she is truly intelligent."

Sophomore Alex Kanter (2-for-2) had a bunt single and infield single to lead the offense for the Knights (1-5, 0-3).

Senior Delilah Malczewski, sophomore Lauren Calderone and senior Hannah Brummer also had hits for Prospect.

The Knights' three losses this week were to MSL West teams with a 9-0 combined record in conference.

"There is no doubt Conant is a good team," said Prospect coach Jim Adair. "I told our kids that Conant would hit the ball but we are disappointed how we played. We didn't pick up the ball, we missed cutoffs.

"We know we didn't play well, and against a team like Conant you've got to play well."

Like Conant, Prospect also featured an underclass-dominated lineup.

"Yes, we are young but we've got to get better," Adair said. "We did do some good things, though. Our catcher (sophomore Jackie Orel) threw out two runners."