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Softball: Another regular season ends with win for Grams

Elk Grove's softball team wrapped up its 38th regular season under coach Ken Grams on Tuesday, and it ended like 924 other games since the hall of famer took over in 1982.

Grams won his 925th game as Grenadiers sophomore ace Lauren Clausen posted her fourth shutout with a 6-0 win over visiting Maine West, the Central Suburban North co-champion.

Grams' career record stands at 925-357-2.

Little did he know when he coached his first team to the Class AA state runner-up that he would still be sending out top notch teams four decades later.

"Who would have thought?" said the former EG boys basketball coach and athletic director. "I still enjoy it. I plan on 39, and 40 years, and we'll see. I enjoy the team. I enjoy the kids."

"It's amazing," said Maine West second-year coach Jim Dvorak. "I think he is going to be around for a while. We look forward to coming back here next year. He has been a great coach, a hall of famer, and it's just an honor to be on the same field with him. His longevity and the quality of teams he puts out each year is a testament to his coaching."

Even more impressive with this 2018 MSL East tri-championship club is that it has no seniors on the roster.

Clausen threw a 4-hitter with 9 strikeouts to raise her record to 11-6 in her rookie varsity season.

"Lauren is doing really great, especially considering it's her first season," said Grens sophomore catcher Katia Pendowski. "For the most part, the key is that she hits her spots, stays aggressive and has the mindset that she can retire anyone regardless of how good they are."

Pendowski (2-for-4) and Brooke Baldassarre (2-for-3) were multiple hitters for Elk Grove (16-12), which faces Lake Park on Thursday in its regional opener at Schaumburg.

Freshman right fielder Morgan Leach, who threw out a runner at first base in the fourth inning, reached base three time, including an RBI single in the fourth inning. Classmate A.J. Trausch singled and had a sacrifice fly to right to score a run in the second inning.

Jaimie Klicka's 2-run single to right made it 6-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Grace Engwall also had a hit for EG.

"We had some time off lately so it was just good to have some at-bats," Pendowski said. "I know Lake Park is a really good team so we've got to come out ready to play."

"It was good to play a good team like Maine West (15-9)," Grams said. "He's (Dvorak) had a nice season. He sends a lot of good hitters to the plate so it was good for both of us to get a little tuneup for the regional."

Warriors leadoff batter Gabby Demma went 2-for-4 while teammates Allison Pearson and Emily Divelbus each had hits.

"We just wanted out girls to get at-bats today," said Dvorak, who also used three pitchers (Jessica Steingard, Abigail Gawlinski and Brianna Migaczewski). "And I wanted all three of our pitchers to throw.

"I was happy with the approach at the plate by a couple of our girls. We had a lot of mental errors so those are things we have to clean up. We've had only one other game the last week and half so you could see a little rust out there.

"Jessica (Steingard) was a little rusty to start but then she locked in a little. We were just testing what pitches are working for her and getting ready for Thursday (regional semifinal at home against Taft)."

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