Softball: Ban, Fremd top Loyola
Junior Hannah Ban had a game to remember.
Not only was she the winning pitcher with a 5-hitter in Fremd's 22-4 nonconference 5-inning triumph over Loyola on Thursday, Ban also went 3-for-3 with a grand slam, double and 6 RBI as the host Vikings improved to 3-0 under first-year coach Josh Teschner.
Ban struck out three in her first win of the season.
Classmate Jess Mazur also had a big day at the plate, belting her second homer in three games while going 3-for-4 with a double 4 RBI and 2 runs.
Other top hitters for Fremd were Anna Freveletti (2-for-3, double, 3 runs), Kaylee Goluch (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 4 runs), Becca Uhrich (3-for-5, triple, 2 runs, stolen base), Reagan Schneider (2-for-5, 2 runs) and Lexi D'Ambrosio (3-for-4, 2 runs).
Elk Grove 12, Resurrection 11: The host Grenadiers improved to 2-0 by breaking an 11-1 tie with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior Sabra Morton picked up her first win of the season.
Senior Leilani Rivera (2-for-3) belted her first varsity homer for the Grens who also had doubles from Haley Itzenthaler (2-for5), Jessica Kearns (2-for-3), Alexa Fontanetta (3-for-4), Katia Pendowski and Morton.
Palatine 3, Grayslake Central 2: Visiting Palatine won its season opener as junior Sarah Grossman struck out 12 as the wining pitcher.
Top hitters for the Pirates were sophomore Grace Huff (2-for-3, walk, 2 runs stolen base) and Grossman (1-for-3, double).
Huff stole home for the Pirates' first run in the first inning and sophomore Amanda Stanczuk singled to left to score Emily Parrott for a 2-0 lead.
Palatine scored again in the top of the seventh when Huff led off with her second hit. She took second on Maddie Craver's sacrifice and scored on Brooke Bauer's two-out single.
Grayslake North 5, Hoffman Estates 3: Evan Garrett earned her first varsity win for the visiting Knights in their season opener at Hoffman Estates. Senior Jenna Pozezinski was 3-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs for the visitors.
Highland Park 5, St. Viator 4: Visiting St. Viator (3-2) had 12 hits, including three by Jessica Taylor and two apiece from Adeline Swiderski and Cece Kaiser. However, the Lions left 13 runners on base. Taylor took the loss, striking out four and giving up 3 earned runs.
Libertyville 10, Rolling Meadows 0 (6 inn.): A double by sophomore Sara Benner was the only hit for visiting Rolling Meadows (1-1) in the nonconference game.
The 1-hitter by Hannah Heraty (1-1) included 8 strikeouts and 2 walks.