Fremd 10, Palatine 0
In the fourth inning with runners on second and third, Fremd cleanup hitter Lauren Zaworski was intentionally walked to load the bases.
In the seventh inning, Palatine coach Jeff Manz had nowhere to put the Fremd sophomore slugger.
She came up with the bases loaded.
And yep, you guessed it.
Zaworski belted a grand slam, her sixth homer of the season, to cap the scoring in Fremd's 10-0 shutout at Palatine (15-8, 10-5).
The victory gave the Vikings (24-3, 14-2) a share of the Mid-Suburban West softball title with Barrington (26-4, 14-2).
Because of its two wins over Fremd in league play, Barrington hosts Thursday's MSL title game against East champ Elk Grove (29-4, 13-3).
Fremd's last West crown was in 2002, which was coach Jim Weaver's first season directing the program.
"We knew we had a lot of talented sophomores (seven)," said Fremd senior catcher Marybeth Wesolowski. "We knew this season could be special."
Sophomore Lena Brottman (18-2) has been one of those special players.
She took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Caitlin Carpenter and Bre Quaritsch doubled.
"The top of the seventh (when Fremd scored 5 runs) was pretty long," Weaver said. "I think Lena definitely got a little cold in the dugout but Palatine put some good swings on the pitches. You've got to tip your cap to them."
Fremd had a lot of good swings, too.
Zarworski went 3-for-3 and also had a double. Alexa Cinquegrani (2-for-3) had a bloop RBI single in Fremd's 3-run fourth. Jenny Schneider added a sacrifice fly to center to score Kelly Voigt.
Kristine Werling and Stacey Stutzman each reached base three times.
"Lena (9 strikeouts) did a great job," Zaworski added. "We wanted to score early and try and take control."
The Vikings were able to take advantage of 3 errors by Palatine.
"When they put the ball in play, we didn't look like we knew what to do with it," Manz said. "We didn't make smart decisions on defense.
"Lena Brottman did a great job. She's one of the toughest pitchers we've faced all season. It didn't look like we were ready for her."
"This was a nice way to end the conference season," Weaver added. "Obviously, we have a lot of respect for Palatine. I thought our kids had some real quality at-bats that extended innings."
Jessica Tackett was robbed of a hit in the third when Pirates ace Anne Wciislo (11-5) made an outstanding backhand grab near her waist of a line shot.
Barrington 7, Hoffman 0: The Fillies (24-6, 14-2) were led by Jessica McGurn (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Devinne Wapotish (2-for-3) and Kim Cygan (2-for-3). Kristen Kuhn and Kiersten Tinkoff also doubled as Cygan (23-6) threw a 2-hitter with 5 strikeouts.
Colleen Roberts and Alex Wulbecker had the hits for Hoffman (8-20, 5-11).
The Fillies won their sixth consecutive West crown and 10th in 16 years under coach Perry Peterson.
Elk Grove 3, Wheeling 0: Krystina Leazer (11-1) went the first 4 innings, striking out four and giving up only 1 hit.
Jamie Campus (3-for-3) and Jessica Balzano (2-for-3, double) led the offense for Elk Grove (29-4, 13-3).
Amber Hane belted a solo homer to lead off the sixth. Kayla Mahoney had an RBI single in the first inning and Nikki Goranson recorded an RBI on the fifth.
Janelle Schroeder had the lone Wheeling (6-18, 2-14) hit.
Meadows 4, Hersey 2: Since an 11-0 loss to Buffalo Grove, the Mustangs (11-14) have won 5 of 6 games and finished at 8-8 in the MSL East, their first time in upper half of the conference since 1998.
Carissa Stewart threw a 5-hitter for the win with 4 strikeouts. Caitlin Adair went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Bonnie Weglarz had an RBI single as Meadows had 3 unearned runs.
Danielle Gore had an RBI triple for Hersey (8-20, 5-11).
Right fielder Libby Marsh (elbow injury) made her first appearance this spring for Meadows and got a base hit.
Prospect 11, BG 9: Paige O'Neil went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Cyndi Becker and Mary Kate Ward each doubled for the Knights (17-9, 11-5). Sheri Weidner (17-7) struck out eight for the win.
Andrea DiPrima (4-for-5, 4 RBI, double) and Stephanie Rudolfi (3-for-4, 3 RBI, double) each belted 3-run homers and Katie Lee had a triple for the host Bison (17-13, 7-9), who out-hit Prospect 13-6.
DiPrima (8-7) suffered the loss while Maria Dax went three innings in relief.
Conant 9, Schaumburg 2: Paige Ward (2-for-4, double), Lauren Erkman (3 RBI, double), Amberly Ward (3 hits) and Nicole Gross (2 hits) led the Cougars (5-18, 2-14), who received a 6-hitter from freshman Kailee Pasbrig with 3 strikeouts.
"Kailee pitched a solid game," said Cougars coach CathyAnn Smith.
Nicole Chase doubled for Schaumburg (10-12, 5-10) and Rachel Borgman got 3 hits.
Fenton 3, Maine West 2: Jackie Janecek (3-for-4), Emily Ott (2-for-4) and Caryn McGinley (2-for-3, 2 RBI) led the offense for Maine West (21-4) in the nonconference game in Bensenville. Ott (14-3) threw a 4-hitter for West.
Leyden 3, Morton 2: Sophomore Dana Thomas spun a 5-hitter and classmate Kim Giannini went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Leyden (11-14, 6-4) in the West Suburban Gold.