Softball: An engaging win for Pauly, Palatine

Nicole Pauly has had many great days on the softball diamond as a standout high school player at Palatine before playing at Northwestern and in the women's professional league.

So how appropriate was it that her engagement came on the softball diamond where she once starred and is now the head coach?

And wait til you hear this one.

When Pauly, Palatine's varsity coach, went out to meet the umpires and opposing coach before Saturday's game, guess who was in disguise wearing an umpire's outfit with a mask and all?

Pauly's fiance Joe Capalbo, an assistant girls lacrosse and girls basketball coach at Palatine, removed the mask and got down on his knees and proposed at home plate.

Needless to say, he didn't strike out.

"It was an exciting day to say the least," said the now-engaged Pauly, whose Pirates defeated visiting Resurrection 5-2 on Senior Day. "It was a special day for our seniors (Victoria Parrott, Kenzie Craver, Emily Griffin and Stephanie Becker), too. They've given four years out of their lives to help our program. It was really fun. An awesome day."

Maine South 3, Hersey 1: The host Huskies tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning when Katie Wingerter walked and scored on a passed ball.

But the visiting Hawks pushed across 2 runs in the top of the sixth to edge the Huskies in the nonconference game which ended the regular season.

Freshman Makayla Tsagalis went 2-for-3 for Hersey's only hits in the game.

On Friday, the Huskies pounded out 12 hits, including junior Kaitlyn Denten's first homer of the season and senior Kim Labahn's first triple in a 7-6 loss to visiting Evanston.

Highland Park 13, Wheeling 5: Nikki Ferraro tripled for the host Wildcats who had 11 hits in their final regular season game.

Schaumburg splits: Lake Park ended the regular with a 28-7 record while the Saxons will head into the state tournament 20-9.

Lake Park won 6-3 in the opener with Natalie Grubczak earning the win over Paige Alt (10-6).

Christina Candotti (3-for-4, RBI), Natalie Napier (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Alt (2-for-4) led the Saxons' offense while teammates Kaiden Jackson, Cate Poplar and Taylor Budrovic also had this.

The Saxons won 4-1 in Game 2 as Michelle Birkholz (10-3) gained the win over Emily Frank. Alt doubled for the Saxons.

Alt went 3-for-3 with a double while Brittney Butt was 2-for-2. Jackson, Birkholz (sacrifice fly, RBI), Poplar, Napier (RBI), Sarah Schwind (RBI), Stephanie Schroeder and Jayme Kissamis also had hits for Schaumburg.