Softball: Hersey rallies late to top Buffalo Grove

Hersey freshman Sarah Bailitz struck out five while tossing a complete game to help the Huskies defeat host Buffalo Grove 6-3 on Tuesday in Mid-Suburban East softball.

Amy Denten led the Huskies' offense by going 3-for-4 with a 2-run single in the top of the fifth inning that gave the Huskies (9-10, 5-5) a 4-3 lead.

Mikayla Tsagalis added a 2-run single in the top of the sixth to make it 6-3. Teammate Katie Wingerter doubled for the only extra-base hit in the game.

Hersey junior Maddie Flynn saw her first varsity catching assignment in the first three innings before Jackie Bednar returned from advanced placement testing to receive the rest of the contest.

Leading the offense for BG (3-15, 1-10) were Grace Gran (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Jacqueline Bickhaus (2-for-3). Teammates Hannah Young, Emily Carnes, Katie Fontanetta and Alyssa DePhillips each had one hit.

Elk Grove 11, Rolling Meadows 1 (5 inn.): Elk Grove junior pitcher Kylie Thomsen (8-3) threw a 1-hitter with 9 strikeouts and belted a 3-run homer in the fourth inning.

The only hit by host Rolling Meadows (13-9, 4-6) was freshman Sara Benner's RBI double which scored Amanda Elkins in the fourth inning.

Sabra Morton went 2-for-3 for the Grens (17-3), who lead the MSL East with a 7-3 record.

Elise Kowalski (2-2) took the loss. Mustangs coach Tony Wolanski hopes junior Lydia Schultz (11-6) can return in a week after being hit in the upper body by a line drive on Monday night against Palatine.

Schaumburg 18, Hoffman Estates 1 (5 inn.): Wining pitcher Michelle Birkholz (3-5, 3 doubles, 3 RBI), Kaiden Jackson (3-for-3 double, 2 RBI), Paige Alt (3-for-3, 2 homers, 5 RBI), Christina Candotti (2-for-3, double, 2 RBI), Sarah Schwind (3-for-3, 2 RBI) and Cate Poplar (1-for-1, 2 RBI) led the offense for Schaumburg (14-5, 8-1). Birkholz improved to 6-2 on the mound.

Hoffman Estates (3-17, 1-9) was led on offense by Brynn Connelly (1-for-1) and Alyssa Ayala (1-for-2, RBI).

Conant 14, Palatine 0 (5 inn.): Carly Rossdeutcher (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Dream Aaron (2-for-3, 3 RBI, double), Ally Lira (1-for-1) and Lauren Grzelak (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs, RBI) each hit a homer for Conant (14-2), which holds first place in the MSL West at 9-0.

Other top hitters for the host Cougars were Morgan Bihun (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs) and Makenna McCarthy (double).

Senior Sara Neuman improved to 12-0 after tossing a 2-hitter with 9 strikeouts.

Victoria Parrott and Maddie Craver had the hits for Palatine (8-10, 5-4). Pirates pitcher Jenna Patano struck out three.

Nazareth 7, St. Viator 4: After Nazareth scored twice in the first inning, the host Lions (8-8) got one back in the bottom half.

Cam VanValkenburg got one of her first of 3 hits. Haley Robinson singled her to second and VanValkenburg later scored on Jenna Breslin's sacrifice fly.

St. Viator's other 3 runs came in the bottom of the third when Aryana Ziakas led off with a single.

She came home on Haley Robinson's second hit. Grace Kaiser then singled home the second run and Addy Swiderski singled home Kaiser.

"The girls were really fired up," said Lions coach John Scotillo. "They felt like they had something to prove. We played one the best teams in the conference fairly even. If we can keep up this intensity, it will be a fun month."

Niles North 9, Maine West 0: Senior Monica Liwag had the only hit for host Maine West (5-10, 3-4) in the CSL North game.