Softball: Conant connects late to top Elk Grove

Talk about timely hitting.

In a rematch of last year's Mid-Suburban League championship softball game, Conant collected 8 of its 13 hits in the final two innings to rally for a 7-6 triumph over state-ranked Elk Grove in the season-opening crossover.

Visiting Conant, the defending MSL champs, scored 5 runs in the top of the seventh inning to grab the 7-6 lead and winning pitcher senior Sam Gadomski (5 strikeouts) did not surrender a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Conant improved to 3-2 overall while Elk Grove lost for the first time in seven games.

The Cougars had six players went 2-for-4 - Morgan Bihun, Delaney Szwed, Sydney Correa, Carly Rossdeutcher and Maddy Meier.

Gadomski struck out five.

Kylie Thomsen (2-for-4), who started for EG and was relieved by Sabra Morton, belted her third home run in three games and fourth of the season. Other multiple hitters for EG were Katia Pendowski (2-for-4), Amy Pietruszynski ((2-for-3) and Haley Itzenthaler (2-for-3).

Barrington 8, Buffalo Grove 2: Senior Rachel Krzysko, who signs her national letter of intent with Purdue University on Wednesday, went 4-for-5 with 4 RBI and a double to lead the offense for visiting Barrington (9-1, 1-0). Teammate Jenna Patino went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI and Abbey Jacobsen belted a homer. Catherine McMahon (7-1) struck out five in the first 4⅓ innings to earn the win while Tori Meyer struck out three in 2⅔ innings.

Junior Lauren Beiersdorf (2 run single in the first inning) and sophomore Bailey Williams had the hits for BG (6-5, 0-1).

Schaumburg 10, Wheeling 4: Senior Kaiden Jackson led Schaumburg's 22-hit attack by going 5-for-6 with 3 runs. Other multiple hitters for the visiting Saxons (1-4, 1-0) were Talia Torosian (4-for-5, RBI), Michaela Encarnacion (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run), Alex Cook (2-for-5), Michelle Birkholz (3-for-5, 2 double, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and Summer Schulz (2-for-5, double).

Senior Taylor Budrovic earned the win, striking out two.

Wheeling (2-4, 0-1) was led on offense by Becky McAtee (4-for-4, RBI) and Nikki Ferraro (2-for-4, 1 run).

Prospect 7: Hoffman Estates 3: Host Prospect used a 6-run fourth inning to win its MSL East opener and improve to 3-1 overall.

Lauren Caldrone went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double to led the Knights' offense which also received a home run Alex Kanter and double from Jackie Orel.

Winning pitcher Claire Doherty, a freshman, struck out five and gave up 4 hits.

Mary Bean, Brynn Connelly and freshman Emily Grossi (2-for-3) each doubled for the Hawks (0-4, 0-1). Grossi also had 5 strikeouts on the mound.

Crystal Lake South 13, Rolling Meadows 3: Mallory King went 3-for-3 with a RBI for the host Mustangs, who were missing Sara Benner (finger injury), Caroline Slowik (illness) and Emily Schmidt (illness) in the nonconference game.

Stephanie Thompson, Amanda Elkins (RBI), Elizabeth Elkins and Parker Cavanaugh also had hits for RM (4-4).