Softball: Barrington wins slugfest over Elk Grove

In quite the uncharacteristic circumstances of a Barrington and Elk Grove softball game, the two teams combined for 20 runs and 29 hits on Friday.

And if not for senior Rachel Krzysko's game-ending defensive play, there could have been a few more hits and runs at the Fields of Dreams in Barrington.

The Grenadiers, batting in the bottom of the seventh inning, had the bases loaded and two outs when Jessica Kearns appeared to have singled to right field.

However, Krzysko scooped up the ball and rifled it to first baseman Haley Luczak for the final out of Barrington's 11-9 Mid-Suburban League crossover victory.

The Fillies improved to 21-1 and 9-0 in the MSL West while Elk Grove slipped to 15-5 and 5-4, 1 game behind Hersey in the MSL East.

"We practice that play every single day," Krzysko said. "When there are two outs, we go to first and try to get the batter."

So instead of possibly 2 runs scoring on a base hit to tie the game, the Fillies walked off with their perfect conference record still in tact.

"It was extremely important to get another win in the conference," Krzysko said. "Without this win, our lead is not as big (currently 2 games over Palatine and Conant) in the conference. This is as big a win as it is against anyone else."

And it's always a big game when these two tradition-rich programs meet, featuring two of the winningest coaches in the state, hall of famers Ken Grams of Elk Grove (898-360-2) and Perry Peterson of Barrington (763-181).

"It's always fun to play Elk Grove because they are so competitive," said the Purdue-bound Krzysko. "And it's not just the players in this game, but the two great coaches, too. They know how to coach so well."

Grams needs to coach in two more wins to reach 900 for his career.

He barely missed No. 899 on Friday.

"Jessica (Kearns) hit the ball on the nose but an alert right fielder made the play," Grams said. "What can you do? There was nothing we did wrong there. The kid was alert and threw to first."

Elk Grove had 15 hits, led once again by leadoff batter Haley Itzenthaler (3-for-3, home run, 2 doubles, walk and hit by pitch). The senior second baseman is on a remarkable run, reaching base in her last 12 at-bats which have included 4 home runs, 4 doubles and a single.

"She is a on a nice little roll," Grams said.

Other multiple hitters for Elk Grove were senior pitcher Kylie Thomsen (2-for-4), Sabra Morton (2-for-4), Katia Pendowski (2-for-5), Keeley Cronin (2-for-4) and Amy Pietruszynski (2-for-4).

The Fillies, who led 9-2 after a 7-run third inning, countered with a 14-hit attack led by Krzysko (3-for-3, walk, 3 run), who missed the cycle by a triple.

She led off the 7-run third-inning with a homer over the center field fence. Carly Kordich belted a 2-run double in the inning while Jenna Patino (2-for-4, 2 doubles) had an RBI double. Kendall Peterson (2-for-4) and Tori Meyer (2-for-4) had RBI singles in the inning. Catcher Abbey Jacobsen (2-for-4, double) was also a multiple hitter for the Fillies, who also received a double from Luczak.

Junior pitcher Catherine McMahon, who entered the game at the start of the third inning in relief of Meyer, won for the 14th time in 15 decisions.