Softball: Fremd's defense delivers in 3-2 win

In earlier innings, Fremd's Bella Wojcik took away a hit with a diving catch in left field and teammate Reagan Schneider did the same at shortstop.

Apparently it became contagious.

When Prairie Ridge got its first two runners on base on the top of the seventh, third baseman Grace Stevens rushed in to dive and catch a pop bunt that kept the runners from advancing.

Junior Nikki Kehoe then got the next batter on fielder's choice (Schneider to Stevens) and the final out came on a groundout to Schneider to give Fremd the 3-2 nonconference win.

It raised the Vikes' record to 15-5 while the Wolves slipped to 17-6.

It was Fremd's tenth win in 12 games and seventh in its last eight.

"We've been a on nice little roll," said first-year coach Josh Teschner. "The game that woke us up was a loss to Conant (7-4 loss at home on April 21). That really got us going."

Kehoe struck out four to raise her record to 8-3 with Saturday's 9-hitter.

"Our defense and pitching saved us this game because (Hailey) Baker (Prairie Ridge ace) was very good," Teschner said. "But we had a lot of excellent at-bats. Unfortunately we did not have a lot of timely hits."

The Vikings' most timely hit came off the bat of junior Jess Mazur and it almost went over the fence.

Mazur's 2-run double off the top of the fence with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning scored Becca Uhrich and Hannah Ban (2-for-3) and proved to be the decisive runs.

Schneider also doubled for Fremd, which returns to Mid-Suburban West action on Monday when Hoffman Estates visits.

Hersey 10, Maine West 0 (6 inn.): Senior shortstop Katie Wingerter (1-for-2, 5 RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks) blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning and Hersey never looked back while raising its record to 17-6.

Sophomore Sarah Bailitz (7-1) earned the win, striking out six and tossing a 2-hitter with 2 walks.

Other multiple hitters for the Huskies were Hannah Graff (3-for-3, 3 runs, RBI) and Maddie Flynn (2-for-3, 2 run).

Gabriella Demma and Grace Feldkamp (double) had the hits for the Warriors (9-12).

Metea Valley 8, Elk Grove 7: The Grenadiers (18-7) had the go-ahead runs on base in the top of the seventh but just fell short to Metea Valley (16-8) and pitcher Rissa Bajusz (14-3).

EG senior second baseman Haley Itzenthaler, who has been on a doubles parade, added 2 more while going 2-for-4 with 2 runs.

Other multiple hitters for the Grens were Sabra Morton (3-for-5, 1 run), Kylie Thomsen (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run) and and Keeley Cronin (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run). Leilani River had a 2-run triple and 3 RBI in the game.

Morton (6-3) struck out five and did give up a run in the final four innings.

The Grens return to action on Monday when Buffalo Grove visits and host Whitney Young on Tuesday.

St. Viator falls twice: Marian Catholic swept the host Lions 20-11 and 11-1 (5 innings) in the ESCC doubleheader).

Jenna Breslin tied Game 1 in the bottom of the seventh inning with a 2-run homer (her sixth of the season and 18th in her career) before the Spartans scored 8 in the top of the eighth.

Cam VanValkenburg (double), Grace Kaiser, Haley Robinson and Adeline Swiderski each had 3 hits for the Lions (9-10).

Lake Zurich 5, Rolling Meadows 3: Host Rolling Meadows (6-21) had 8 hits, led by Stephanie Thompson, who was 2-for-4.

Parker Cavanaugh, Caroline Slowik (RBI), Sam Allen (RBI), Mallory King, Emily Schimdt and Connor Paige had the other hits for the Mustangs.

Stevenson 12, Prospect 2 (5 inn.): Stevenson improved to 12-13 with the nonconference win over the visiting Knights (9-11).

The Patriots scored 5 runs in the bottom of the fifth as Illyssa Muise was the winning pitcher with a 3-hitter. Emma Oriatti (3-for-3, 2 home runs, triple) drove in 7 runs, including 2-homer in the first inning and a 3-run blast in the fifth.

Buffalo Grove falls twice: Antioch swept a doubleheader from the host Bison, 10-7 and 13-0 in 5 innings.

In Game 1, the offense for BG (12-14) was led by led by Katie Fontanetta (2-for-4, 2 runs), Grace Gran (1-for-3, double), Lauren Beiersdorf (2-for-4, double) and Bailey Williams (2-for-4, double).