Softball: Fremd's Kehoe blanks Schaumburg

Fremd was in its new white road uniforms on Monday.

And the Vikings brought their queen of the whitewash.

Sophomore Nikki Kehoe was involved in her eighth shutout this spring as she blanked host Schaumburg 7-0 in the Mid-Suburban West softball game.

The right-hander (9-0) has not given up a run in her last six appearances dating back to a 6-2 win over Mundelein in the third game of the season.

"I was just trying to hold my composure and pitch my game," Kehoe said. "It was a great team win."

Kehoe struck out three, got six infield popouts and let her defense do the work in snapping Schaumburg's seven-game winning streak.

Both Butler recruits in the game made their mark.

Fremd center fielder Alyssa Garcia made terrific sliding catch to her right to rob Michelle Birkholz.

Saxons senior shortstop Christina Candotti, also headed to Indianapolis, lined a sharp single to left in the second inning.

Candotti's rip was one of only 2 hits by the Saxons (7-4, 3-1).

The other was Birkholz' double down the right field line in the sixth inning."

"I was happy with our at-bats," said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. "But the biggest thing about this win was how the defense played (no errors) and Nikki executing the game plan. She is steady and did a nice job against an excellent lineup.

Five of the 7 hits by Fremd (12-0, 4-0) came in its 5-run fifth inning, including back-to-back one-out RBI singles to right by Becca Uhrich and Holly Straup.

They came after junior catcher Brittney Butt made a superb catch of a pop foul while sliding just short of the back screen.

South Dakota State recruit Jessica Mazur (RBI) and junior AnnMarie O'Sullivan finished the game 2-for-4 for Fremd.

O'Sullivan was playing first base for Julia Wacker, who was being honored on Monday at a banquet for the IHSA All-State Academic team.

Abby Iuorio, Kyle Hess and Lexi D'Ambrosio also had hits for the Vikes.

Saxons senior pitcher Paige Alt (5-3), a Georgia Coastal recruit, struck out ten.

"Paige pitched a good game," said Saxons coach Ellen Abreu whose team committed 6 errors. "But our defense has to be better."