Softball: Three home runs by Itzenthaler help Elk Grove past Meadows

In 2½ seasons on the Elk Grove varsity softball team, senior second baseman Haley Itzenthaler had 3 home runs going into Wednesday's Mid-Suburban East contest against visiting Rolling Meadows.

She equaled that number in one game against the Wildcats, becoming the first girl in school history to belt 3 homers in one game.

Itzenthaler led off the game with a double, then hit back-to-back-back homers as the Grens posted a 12-1 five-inning win over the Mustangs (6-15, 1-6).

"It's quite a unique line," said Elk Grove Hall of Fame coach Ken Grams of Itzenthaler's 4-for-4, 4-RBI performance. All three homers were to left field.

Itzenthaler had a solo blast to lead of the third inning, and then connected for 2 homers in the Grens' 9-run fifth inning. The first was another solo leadoff blast and the second a 2-run walk-off.

Leilani Rivera also homered for the Grens (15-4, 5-3), who are tied first in the MSL Eats with Hersey.

Christina Di Maria doubled for the Grens while senior Kylie Thomsen (8-2) was the winning pitcher, striking out 11 and tossing a 4-hitter.

Hersey 6, Buffalo Grove 5: Hersey (13-4, 5-3) scored 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge Buffalo Grove in the MSL East contest.

The victory allowed the Huskies to remain tied for first in the East Elk Grove (15-4, 5-3).

"We didn't play our best, but a win is a win," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman. "It keeps us in the fight for the conference. Every game matters. Buffalo Grove played great. Their slap hitters really did the job."

Hersey did the job in the final inning when it loaded the bases with no outs.

A RBI walk for senior Katie Wingerter made it 5-2 before Remy Gerew tied the game with a 3-run double to right center. Jodie Hermann then delivered the walk-off single to left center, scoring pinch runner Asia Luboyeski who collided with the catcher and crawled the final foot to touch home plate.

Multiple hitters for Hersey were Hannah Graff (2-for-4), Gerew (3-for-4) and Hermann (2-for-4, double).

Leading the Bison (10-10, 3-5) were Grace Gran (2-for-4, double), Lauren Beiersdorf (2-for-4, double) and Katie Fontanetta (2-for-4).

Winning pitcher Brianna Luciano (9-4) threw the final two innings, striking out four and giving up 2 hits.

Palatine 11, Conant 1 (6 inn.): Freshman Rhiann Dick (5-3) threw a 5-hitter with 4 strikeouts as the Pirates improved to 15-4 and 6-2 in the MSL West.

Grace Seiffert (3-for-4, double, triple, 5 RBI), Brittany Padden (3-for-4, home run, 3 RBI) and Maddie Craver (2-for-2, 3 runs, walk, sacrifice) led the Pirates' offense.

Makenna McCarthy went 3-for-3 with a home run and double for Conant (11-4, 6-2).

"Rhiann Dick (3-0 in the MSL) did a great job pitching today," said Pirates assistant coach Kristen Proffitt. "As a freshman, she went into this game with a positive attitude and with confidence. She was hitting every spot and doing everything I asked of her.

"She wasn't afraid to mix it up and she really did a nice job going after the hitters. She never wavered and stayed strong through the end of the game, which allowed our offense to do their job and bring home this conference win."

Prospect 3, Wheeling 1: Trailing 1-0, host Prospect (8-5, 3-5) scored all its runs in bottom of the sixth inning of the MSL East contest.

Cassie Cunniff (2-for-3), Lauren Caldrone (triple) and Alex Kanter (double) led the Knights' offense, which outhit Wheeling 8-5.

Sophomore Nikki Ferraro was 2-for-4 for Wheeling (2-13, 0-8).

Freshman Claire Doherty stuck out 11 while tossing a 5-hitter while freshman Emmie LaCaeyse had 3 strikeouts and did not walk a batter. She also doubled.

Schaumburg 13, Hoffman Estates 5: Senior Taylor Budrovic was the winning pitcher with 3 strikeouts and she also went 3-for-4 for the visiting Saxons (5-9, 4-4) in the MSL West game.

Other multiple hitters for Schaumburg were Kaiden Jackson (4-for-6), Cate Poplar (4-for-4, home run, double, walk), Natalie Napier (2-for-5, double), Janalee Lyke (2-for-4) and Michaela Encarnacion (2-for-5, double).

Leading the offense for Hoffman (2-12, 1-7) were Brianna Venegas (2-for-3), Giselle Velazquez (2-for-4) and Emily Grossi (2-for-4, home run) and Mary Bean (2-for-4, double).

Loyola 10, St. Viator 4: Cam VanValkenburg and Grace Kaiser each had 2 hits for the visiting Lions (9-6) while Jenna Breslin hit her fifth homer of the season in the nonconference game.