Classic Fremd-Elk Grove battle isn't over yet

Wait one second.

Wasn't this a Mid-Suburban League softball opener?

Not an MSL championship?

Well, you sure couldn't tell Wednesday in Palatine.

With Fremd and Elk Grove getting quality weather for most of this marathon, the two softball powers put on a quality show worthy of a conference title game.

By the time darkness settled in, the two teams had played 11 dramatic innings without a runner crossing home plate.

A date to complete the game will be made at a later time.

"Phenomenal, phenomenal softball," said Fremd coach Jim Weaver, whose team (7-1) is expected to challenge for the MSL West crown.

"This is wonderful," said Elk Grove Hall of Fame coach Ken Grams, whose team (10-1) is the favorite in the MSL East. "This is what you work for all winter, thinking of these kind of games, and this was one of them."

The pitching and defense was brilliant with only 1 error committed in the contest.

Fremd junior Lena Brottman (5-1) went all 11 innings, striking out 14, walking one and giving up 9 hits.

"Everyone played great, both sides," Brottman said. "I love when it's 0-0 and both teams are playing so well. Elk Grove played amazing softball. And my teammates were great. It was just pure softball by both teams."

For Elk Grove, junior Stephanie Maday went the first 41/3 innings, striking out seven with no walks and 2 hits.

Freshman Dani Goranson went the final 62/3 innings, striking out 11 with 2 walks and 4 hits.

Goranson was at Grove Junior High when Brottman threw a perfect game to defeat Elk Grove 2-0 a year ago.

Senior Nikki Goranson caught the whole game for Elk Grove, while junior Kristine Werling did the same for Fremd.

"When you have two really good-hitting teams go 18 innings over the last two years with only 2 runs, you've really got to credit the pitching and defense," Weaver said. "I even told Kristine Werling during the game she was the superstar as she threw out two runners and tagged one out at the plate and blocked some pitches."

Elk Grove advanced a runner to third in the sixth, but Fremd came up with a nifty 5-4-2 double play to end the inning.

Third baseman Kelly Voigt fielded Amanda Mertes' bunt and threw to second baseman Lauren Zaworski, who covering first. Zaworski threw home to Werling to catch the runner trying to score from third.

"That's something we practiced for 45 minutes the last two days," Weaver said. "I'm proud of Kelly. 'Z' made a good pivot and Werling made the play at home."

In the bottom of the seventh, Fremd had Tess Dinterman (reached on an error) at third and Casey Latal (walk) at second with one out.

But Dani Goranson hardly looked like a rookie as she struck out the next two batters.

"She is a very mature and athletic young lady," Grams said. "And I would like to think she grew even more in this game."

"I was really excited to come in in that situation," Dani Goranson said. "You just have to be confident and know your team has your back."

Dani Goranson and Maday each had 2 of the Grenadiers' 6 hits.

Jenny Schneider had 2 of the Vikings' 6 hits.

"It was just two teams that have been getting respect all season, and this will only make us both better," Grams said.

"There were plenty of opportunities for both teams." Weaver said. "But the pitchers and defense just locked it down."

Hersey 10, Conant 3: Kristy Johnson struck out 10 and walked three while tossing a 5-hitter for visiting Hersey (2-6, 1-0) as the Huskies outhit Conant 15-5 in the MSL crossover.

Alyssa Kiefer (double) had 4 hits for Hersey, while teammate Aubrey Fulton collected 3. Stacey Schmeiderer (double) and Kim Ferraro each had 2 hits for the Huskies, who took advantage of 8 errors.

Conant (5-8, 0-1) received a pair of hits from Kim Jacobson (home run) and Hilary O'Donnell tripled. Kailee Prasbrig (2-2) suffered the loss.

Rolling Meadows 2, Hoffman Estates 0: Freshman Josie Suchecki (1-6) earned her first varsity win with a 4-hitter that included 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Senior Kaitlin Walsh (2-4) struck out 12 for Hoffman (3-6, 0-1) in the MSL crossover.

Visiting Meadows (3-6, 1-0) scored both runs in the sixth. Freshman Natilie Cannizzo singled home Maddy Urban and Kelly Keyzer scored when Libby Marsh reached on an error.

Barrington 3, Wheeling 1: Sophomore Kiley Dolezal (1-0) picked up her first varsity win with a 3-hitter and 11 strikeouts in the MSL crossover.

Host Barrington (13-1, 1-0) scored all its runs in the first inning with two outs. Freshman Jordan Wekony (2-for-3, 2 RBI) had a 2-run single to drive in Colleen Shandley and Kim Cygan, and Wekony later scored on a wild pitch.

Junior Scout Scanlon (2-for-3, 1 run) scored on a passed ball in the sixth inning for Wheeling (2-2, 0-1).

Palatine 3, Prospect 2: Palatine (5-4, 1-0) scored the winning run in the ninth inning in an MSL crossover. Sophomore Danielle Boisvert earned the win in relief of junior Chrissy Roto, who went 8 innings with 6 strikeouts.

Senior Kelsey Griffin had an RBI for host Palatine, while sophomore Katie Mnichowicz stole 2 bases and classmate Alyx Ballenger had 1.

Prospect (1-10, 0-1) received an RBI by senior Katie Dillon and a double from Knights freshman pitcher Hanna Lythberg, who struck out six. Lisa Dominick stole a base for the Knights.

Schaumburg 4, Buffalo Grove 3: Senior Missy Anderson (9 strikeouts, 1 walk) ran her record to 5-0, and classmate Sarah McGinn homered for the host Saxons (6-1, 1-0), who scored 3 runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the MSL crossover.

Aly Poehlmann delivered the game-winning single, which scored Alexis Carrevetta. Becca Thompson and Brittany Hill also had hits in the inning.

Poehlmann and Brianne Lingl each went 2-for-4 for the Saxons.

BG sophomore Andrea DiPrima (4-3) struck out five and walked two.

K.C. Dunne (2-for-4), Lexi Bueno (2-for-4) and Becca Winter (2-for 3) led BG (7-5, 0-1).