Wrap: Fremd 2, Elk Grove 0

Fremd coach Jim Weaver said sophomore Lena Brottman is learning how to pitch in big games.

Evidently, the sturdy right-hander has learned.

She was perfect in one of Fremd's biggest softball games of the season on Wednesday.

The Vikings, a half-game out of first place in the Mid-Suburban West, blanked East leader Elk Grove 2-0 as Brottman (13-1) tossed the first perfect game of her two-year career with 12 strikeouts.

Fremd (16-1, 9-1) visits Barrington (20-5, 10-1) at 4:30 p.m. today for first place.

Elk Grove (20-3, 9-2) holds a two-game lead over Prospect (12-6, 7-4).

Brottman's sophomore counterpart from Elk Grove, Stephanie Maday (14-2), struck out 11 while tossing a 2-hitter.

Fremd second baseman Lauren Zaworski's RBI single to right scored pinch runner Mary Esposito in the first inning. Sophomore Kelly Voigt's homer to center in the fourth made it 2-0.

"It was fun because we're (Brottman and Maday) both sophomores," said Brottman, who took a perfect game into the seventh against Conant on April 21 before settling for a 2-hitter. "She's a great pitcher and held us to only 2 runs."

Elk Grove coach Ken Grams could not recall an opponent throwing a perfect game in 29 seasons.

"She was terrific," Grams said. "We knew coming in she was good but she kicked it up to another level."

Weaver knew all about Maday's talents as well.

"Against such a great pitcher like Stephanie, you've got to take the runs when you can get them," he said. "So it was nice to get one early and execute the offense."

Part of that execution was Esposito, who stole second (for Stacey Stutzman, who walked) and alertly came home on Zaworski's two-out single to right.

Voigt clicked for the first homer of her career in the fourth inning with one out.

"She got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it," Weaver said. "And defensively 'Z' (Zaworski) made two great plays, Lena made some nice plays on the mound and there was Alexa Cinquegrani's catch."

Cinquegrani probably provided the most dramatic moment of the game as she backpedaled several steps to her left to haul in Brittany Tranchita's deep fly ball near the right field fence. It saved the perfect game as the last out of the sixth.

"I was saying 'please catch it, please catch it,'" Brottman said. "It was a great shot by her (Tranchita) and a great play by Alexa.

"This is a team sport and we had some great plays in the field. I couldn't do it without my seven fielders behind me and my catcher (Kristine Werling)."

Barrington 11, Wheeling 0:ΠBarrington posted its 16th season of 20 or more wins as Allison Martin (1-0) threw a 2-hitter with 10 strikeouts.

The visiting Fillies (20-5, 10-1) scored 6 runs in the top of the seventh.

Kim Cygan (3-for-4, walk), Lisa Shandley (3-for-4, run), Colleen Shandley (2-for-3, walk, 2 runs), Kristin Kuhn (3-for-5) and Jessica McGurn (2-for-4, walk, 3 runs) led the Fillies.

Tori Menelle and Annemarie Spiezia had the hits for Wheeling (4-13, 1-9).

BG 3, Schaumburg 1: Senior Katie Lee and freshman Andrea DiPrima each had doubles for the host Bison (11-10, 5-6), who received a 6-hitter from freshman Marie Dax (3-4), who struck out five.

Brianne Lingl and Aly Poehlmann doubled for the Saxons (10-8, 5-7).

Palatine 3, Prospect 0: Pitcher Anne Wcislo's 2-run double to right-center in the fourth was all the offense she needed to improve to 9-4.

She struck out two and walked one as the visiting Pirates (11-7, 7-4) won for the eighth time in 10 games.

A double by Caitlin Carpenter (2-for-4) in the fifth inning brought home Nikki Linares (2-for-3, 2 stolen bases) for the third run.

A 10-pitch at-bat by Joanne Jablonski kept the fourth inning alive as the junior finally coaxed a walk. Jablonski and Bre Quaritsch came home on Wcislo's double.

Amy Varner (2-for-4) and Paige O'Neil (2-for-3) led Prospect (12-6, 7-4). Sheri Weidner (12-6) struck out five and walked one.

Meadows 4, Hoffman 3 (8 inn.): Sophomore Maryclare Loughery (3-for-4) had all 4 RBI for the host Mustangs (6-9, 5-6), including the game-winning one-out single to left to score Angela Mahanna (2-for-4) in the bottom of the eighth.

Loughery also had a two-out single in the sixth and two-out RBI single in the fourth.

Caitlin Adair scored 2 runs for the hosts.

Colleen Roberts (2-for-4) led the offense for the Hawks (5-13-1, 2-9).

Senior Carissa Stewart (4 strikeouts) struck out four as the winning pitcher over Kaitlin Walsh, who had 4 strikeouts.

Hersey 3, Conant 1: ŒSenior Maggie Tunney belted her first homer of the season over the centerfield fence and sophomore Kristy Johnson (5 strikeouts, no walks) earned her first win of the season in five decisions for Hersey (5-17, 4-7).

Danielle Gore also had a double for the hosts.

Freshman Kailee Prasbrig stuck out five for Conant (3-13, 1-11) while tossing a 2-hitter.

Lauren Erkman, Christina Shelfo and Kristina Gluth had hits for the Cougars.