Softball: Conant connects for second win

Conant veteran third baseman Morgan Bihun was relieved that she was able to make her college choice before her senior softball season started.

And what a start the Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit and her Cougars so far.

Bihun went 2-for-3 with a home run, double and 5 RBI as Conant improved to 2-0 with a 14-1 five-inning victory at Wheaton North.

Other multiple hitters in the Cougars' 15-hit attack were Winona State recruit Makenna McCarthy (2-for-5, RBU, 1 run), Maddy Meier (3-for-4, 2 RBI, double) and Carly Rossdeutcher (3-for-4, 2 runs, RBI).

Also getting hits were Jackie Birchfield (1-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) and Sara-Kate Pasbrig (1-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run), who homered. Teammate Lauren Gzelak scored 2 runs and was hit by a pitch.

Junior Jac Carlucci earned the pitching win, striking out one and allowing 1 hit in three innings while classmate Paige Nallen went the final two innings, also giving up only 1 hit.

Streamwood 7, Hoffman Estates 4: Trailing 7-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Hoffman Estates (1-3) scored 4 runs and had the tying run at the plate when the game ended,

"I was proud of the way our girls maintained their full effort in the bottom of the seventh," said Hawks coach Lindsey Hamma. "It was just too little, too late. Hopefully we can carry that momentum into next week when we play again."

Colleen Golliher made her first appearance of the season and Hamma liked the effort form the sophomore.

"She was really solid keeping them off balance," the coach said.

Golliher also did with her bat. She and junior Martina DeAstis went 2-for-3. Golliher had a pair of doubles. Juniors Giselle Velasquez and Jenny Camiliere had the other hits for the Hawks (1-3).

"I was really proud of Golliher and DeAstis," Hamma said. "We have been preaching consistency in the batter's box and they really came through with that."

First-year Streamwood coach Will Shogren watched his Sabres improve to 2-0 behind sophomore pitcher Taylyr Crocilla (2-0), who struck out eight and also had a home run.

Rebecca Roncone (double) and Rebecca Daly each went 2-for-4 for Streamwood while teammate Melissa Hart also doubled.

"I was happy with our defense (only 1 error)," Shogren said. "Our bats took a while to wake up but once, we took advantage. And Taylyr pitched a great game."

The game was moved to Streamwood High School's underlevel field but the Hawks remained the home team on the scoreboard.