Ott's got right stuff for West
Maine West junior pitcher Emily Ott's objective Wednesday was to move the ball around and keep the Elk Grove hitters guessing.
Guess what?
It worked out just fine.
Only a bunt single in the first inning by Amanda Mertes prevented Ott from earning her first no-hitter of the season. The junior right-hander struck out six to edge the host Grenadiers 3-1 in the non-conference softball game in Elk Grove.
"She's the best pitcher we've faced this season," said Grenadiers coach Ken Grams, whose club is 3-1. "It's early in the season and we didn't make adjustments. She pitched well. We hit the ball hard just two times the whole game, so what can you do?"
The Warriors (4-2) couldn't do much offensively against Elk Grove sophomore Stephanie Maday in the first three innings and trailed 1-0.
But they finally pushed across a run in the fourth when Ott led off with a single. Grenadiers shortstop Olivia Roback made a great diving stop on Ott's infield hit.
Margo Ehorn then walked and Ott came home on senior Michelle Braun's clutch two-out single to center.
The visitors took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when Ehorn's bases-loaded groundout to second brought home Jenna Depa.
Stephanie Maday (2-0) went the first four innings for the Grenadiers while junior Krystina Leazer (1-1) went the final three.
"We wanted them to share innings," Grams said. "We have a lot of games scheduled this week."
Ott is now 3-1 with an ERA under 1.00. After throwing to her sister Hailey, who graduated last spring, Ott's new catcher is Braun.
"Michelle was my catcher on the Mount Prospect Power this summer," Ott said. "We were able to get used to each other.
"Elk Grove is always a good game for us because both teams always have the same talent level."
The only run Elk Grove scored off Ott was in the first when Mertes reached on the bunt single. She stole second and went to third on Stephanie Dolce's groundout to shortstop Depa.
Mertes then raced home when Caitlin Garrison hustled to first on a dropped third strike.
After Dolce drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth, Ott retired the final 12 batters of the game.
"I thought we played well defensively and Emily pitched phenomenal," said Maine West coach Mike Murin. "And we got some hits when we needed them."
Katie Lowe opened the top of the seventh with an infield single. Garrison made a great diving stop at second to keep the ball in the infield.
Lowe then stole second and advanced to third on Depa's groundout to third baseman Kayla Mahoney.
Dolce made a nifty grab of Jackie Janecek's hard-hit liner to first before Ott (2-for-4) came up with an RBI single to center for an insurance run.
"It was two solid teams" Murin said. "I told our girls Elk Grove was returning a lot of girls from a team that won 30 games last year."
Fremd 2, Glenbrook N. 0:ΠLena Brottman's no-hit bid was broken up by a leadoff single in the top of the seventh.
The sophomore right hander (1-0) struck out 12 and walked none for host Fremd (1-0), which scored both of its runs in the fifth.
Senior MaryBeth Wesolowski (1-for-2) belted a one-out solo homer to left center.
Tess Dinterman then reached on an error and took second on an overthrow. She got to third on a single to left by Kristine Werling (2-for-3).
Dinterman came home on Stacey Stutzman's ground out to second.
Brittany Borst, Kelly Voigt (double) and Alexa Cinquegrani also had hits for Fremd, which visits Jacobs today.
The Vikings made no errors behind Brottman.
BG 6, Cary-Grove 4: Senior catcher Katie Lee (3-for-4, 1 RBI) belted a home run and 2 doubles for visiting Buffalo Grove, which received a 6-inning stint from freshman pitcher Andrea DiPrima (4 hits, 3 strikeouts, 1 earned run) in her varsity debut.
Freshman Marie Dax notched the save for BG (1-1).
DiPrima was also 2-for-4 at the plate while Mallory Smith, Stephanie Rudolfi and Meg Miller also had hits for the winners.
Resurrection 6, Conant 1: Amberly Ward had the only hit for host Conant (0-1) off Resurrection ace Hannah Somogyi.
"We played well, considering it was our first game," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith. "We hadn't been outside all spring. We had a little breakdown in the seventh inning (gave up 4 runs), but played solid for the first six.
"Kailee (Pasbrig, a freshman who had 7 strikeouts) pitched a great game for her varsity debut."
Kaneland 9, Hoffman 3: Senior Jenna Pellus had a double for visiting Hoffman (0-5) while Kaitlin Walsh took the loss, striking out five.
Prospect 8, St. Viator 1: Sheri Weidner (1-2) notched her first win of the spring by tossing a 4-hitter with 7 strikeouts and a walk.
Weidner and Jessica King (RBI) each went 2-for-4 at the plate while Amanda Mlikan was 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI.
Mary Kate Ward and Paige O'Neil also doubled for the Knights (1-2).
Nikki Demule and Melanie Slawny had doubles for St. Viator (0-1), which served as the home team on the scoreboard even though the game was played at Prospect.
Senior Danielle Sipiora was 2-for-3 the for the Lions.
St. Charles North 9, Meadows 1:ΠConnie Porters (2-for-3, double, RBI) and Angela Mahanna (1-for-2 double, 1 run) led visiting Meadows (0-2), which received 6 strikeouts in five innings from starter Carissa Stewart.