Softball: Elk Grove, Hersey and Buffalo Grove fit to be tied in MSL East

It's still early in the Mid-Suburban League softball season but two-time defending East champion Elk Grove may have felt a little sense of urgency on Friday in Arlington Heights.

After all, a loss and the Grenadiers would have found themselves 2 games out of first place.

Instead, they posted their third straight conference win, defeating Hersey 10-7 to move into a first-place tie with the Huskies and Buffalo Grove.

All three teams are 3-3 in the East.

Last year's MSL East player of the year Kylie Thomsen (6-2) showed again why she earned that award by clubbing 2 home runs and notching the complete game win with 6 strikeouts.

Thomsen (3-for-3) belted a 3-run homer in the Grens' 5 -run first inning. She added a RBI single in the second and a solo homer in the sixth as Elk Grove improved to 11-4 overall heading into Saturday's 11 a.m. twin bill with visiting New Trier.

Other key hitters for the Grens were Haley Itzenthaler (2-for-5, double), Jaimie Klicka (double) and Amy Pietruszynski (double).

Hersey (8-4) trailed 10-5 going into its last at-bat. The Huskies scored twice and had the tying run at the plate before Thomsen got the final two outs.

Senior Katie Wingerter (2-for-3, walk) belted her 12th home run and also doubled for Hersey.

Other multiple hitters for the Huskies were Jodie Hermann (2-for-4) and Sarah Bailitz (2-for-3), who pitched the final 5 innings. Bailitz and starting pitcher Brianna Luciano (6-4) combined for 6 strikeouts.

Buffalo Grove 14, Wheeling 11 (9 inn.): The Bison scored 3 runs in the top of the eighth at Wheeling to get the MSL East victory as freshman pitcher Megan Fontanetta (13 hits, 5 strikeouts) earned the win.

Olivia Morini (2-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI) and Jasmine Avalos (2-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, 1 run) led the offense for BG (9-8, 3-3). Teammate Katie Fontanetta also doubled.

Wheeling (2-9, 0-6) was led by Nikki Ferraro (2-for-5, 2 runs), Dakota Medrano (3-for-4, double, 5 RBI) and Peyton LaCaeyse (2-for-5, 2 RBI). Teammates Becky McAtee and Olivia Walker also doubled.

Barrington wins twice: Barrington (16-1) won two games in the downstate Washington tournament and will face Edwardsville (No. 2 in Class 4A ICA state poll) in Saturday's 9 a.m. semifinal.

The Fillies edged Williamsville (No. 1 in Class 2A poll) 4-3 in eight innings as the Bullets lost for the first time in 18 games.

Tori Meyer (4-0) went the final 5 innings, giving up 4 hits to earn the win. Catherine McMahon went the first three innings, striking out two and giving up 1 hit.

Haley Luczak (2-for-4), Julia Kozar (2-for-4, RBI), Kendall Peterson (double) and Meyer (double) helped pace the offense.

Barrington came back with a 6-0 shutout over Kaneland in five innings (time limit).

McMahon (11-1) went all 5 innings, tossing a 3-hitter. Meyer (2-for-2, 4 RBI) belted 2 triples. Kozar went 2-for-3 with 2 runs.

Glenbrook South 5, Rolling Meadows 4: The Titans edged the Mustangs in the Rolling Meadows tournament with a two-out walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Mallory King (2-for-4) and Amanda Elkins had doubled for Meadows (6-9), which will face Maine West at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Grayslake Central 9, Maine West 0: Reagan Radke (8-3) threw a 4-hitter for the Rams (12-3) in an opening-round game of the Rolling Meadows tournament. Maine West (4-8) had hits from Megan Swanson, Anne Lipinski, Alison Tworek and Amanda Bryne.

Whitney Young 5, Palatine 4: Whitney Young scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to edge the Pirates (11-3) at the Rolling Meadows Invite.

Palatine was led on offense by Grace Huff (3-for-4, 2 run), Maddie Craver (2-for-3, RBI, 1 run) and Brittany Padden (2-for-4, double, 1 run). The Pirates face Evanston at 10 a.m. Saturday.