Fremd keeps hanging tough

After a big 6-5 win at Barrington last week, Fremd's softball team zoomed to the top of the Daily Herald softball poll.

"Going into that game, we knew what we needed to do at that point of the season," said Vikings senior first baseman Jessica Tackett. "It was kind of like a stepping stone. But we have a lot of respect for Barrington and we know the next game with them will be just as tough."

Tackett and her teammates were tough customers Monday as they remained on top in the Mid-Suburban West with a 6-1 victory at Conant.

Tackett (3-for-4) had a tough bat, too, for the Vikings (15-1, 5-0) as she belted a pair of doubles and a single while collecting 4 RBI.

"I thought we were patient with our bats," said Tackett, who has 5 home runs already this spring. "And we waited for pitches we could hit."

Lena Brottman's pitches had Conant puzzled throughout the first five innings as the junior right-hander (11-1) struck out the first nine she faced. Brottman had a perfect game going until Conant freshman pitcher Briane Cavin singled with a hard shot to third to lead off the sixth.

"She was doing a great job," said Vikings junior catcher Kristine Werling, who came home on Lauren Zaworski's RBI single to right in the third inning before Tackett's 2-run double scored Jenny Schneider and Zaworski. "Lena was hitting her spots and taking control."

"She was racking up the strikeouts early," said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. "She just has to stay focused for all seven innings. I thought we hit the ball hard all day. We even had some hard lineouts. And we played good defense."

Weaver liked Alexa Cinquegrani's perfect sacrifice bunt in the fourth inning which advanced Tess Dinterman to second.

"Alexa got a big bunt down there," Weaver said. "We've still got to get a whole lot better but we like little victories like that (Cinquegrani's bunt) as we try to get better in small ways."

Lauren Ambrose and Amanda VanJacobs led off the seventh with back-to-back singles for Conant (8-10, 2-3) and Ambrose eventually broke up the shutout when she scored from third on a wild pitch.

"Fremd is a solid team all the way around," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith. "I was proud of how our kids came around with the bats at the end.

"It just wasn't soon enough. Our girls are good. They are young and eager. And it was a good strong effort by Briane (Cavin, who is 4-5)."

Smith also appreciated the Vikings players wearing purple head bands.

"That was very classy of them to wear those for Laura Engelhardt (Conant senior), who died last week," Smith said.

Barrington 7, Schaumburg 1: Barrington (20-2, 5-1) became the fourth high school softball program in Illinois to reach 800 wins, according to the IHSA record books.

The others are Lockport, Casey-Westfield and Downers Grove South.

The Fillies (800-298 in school history), who won 20 or more games for the 17th straight season under coach Perry Peterson, received a 6-hitter with 4 strikeouts an no earned runs from senior Kim Cygan.

Colleen Shandley (2-for-4, 1 run), Cygan (2-for-4, 1 run) and Kiersten Tinkoff (2-for-4, 2 RBI) led the host Fillies while Aly Poehlmann (2-for-3, double) and Alexis Carravetta (2-for-4) paced the Saxons.

Missy Anderson (8-3) struck out four and walked one for Schaumburg (9-6, 4-2).

Elk Grove 6, Hersey 1: Junior Stephanie Maday (8-1) threw a 2-hitter with 7 strikeouts and no walks for host Elk Grove (16-1, 4-0) in the MSL East.

Junior shortstop Olivia Roback belted a solo homer to left in the third inning and had a sacrifice fly in the first.

Senior second baseman Caitlin Garrison was 2-for-3 and also had a pair of RBI while Jessica Balzano (1 run), Amanda Mertes (1 run) and Krystina Leazer also had hits for the Grens.

Aleene Morgenthaler and Stacey Shmiederer had the hits for Hersey (4-11, 3-3).

Buffalo Grove 3, Wheeling 2: Buffalo Grove (9-8, 2-4) scored its 3 runs in the bottom of the third as sophomore Maria Dax improved to 3-0 with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Tori Menelle struck out four for the visiting Wildcats (2-9, 0-5) and also had a double.

Top hitters for the host Bison were Lexi Bueno (3-for-4, RBI) Andrea DiPrima (3-for-3), Emily Begnel (2-for-3, double) and K.C. Dunne (RBI, double).

Meadows 3, Prospect 1: Senior Maddy Urban (3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 stolen bases) belted a homer and double for the host Mustangs (8-9, 4-2) in the MSL East.

Freshman Josie Suchecki (5-7) earned the win with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks while Kiley Lythberg struck out seven for Prospect (2-15, 0-5).

Mustangs coach Tony Wolanski praised his infield defense of first baseman Libby Marsh, second baseman Maryclare Loughery, shortstop Urban and third baseman Abby Matayka.

Prospect scored on a base hit by Kaila Walter that brought home Sam Mangrum in the seventh inning.

Maine West 13, Deerfield 9 (8): Maine West (11-9, 4-0) took over sole possession of first place in the CSL North as Alli Ellwood (2-2) got the win with 3 strikeouts and no outs.

The Warriors scored 4 in the top of the eighth to win it.

Deerfield's Kelly O'Connell blasted 3 home runs over the center field fence, including the solo blast which sent the game to extra innings.

In all, Deerfield had 4 homers.

Maine West, which trailed 7-1 after four innings. was led by Emily Ott (4-for-4, 3 runs, triple), Margo Ehorn (3-for-5, 2 runs), Kaleigh McGinn (3-for-5, 3 RBI, double), Katie Fitzgerald (3-for-4, 3 RBI, double), Kim Morales (2-for-4, 3 RBI), Michelle Marlega (2-for-3, 3 runs), Jenna Depa (double) and Ellwood (double).

"It was a gutsy performance by our girls," said Maine West coach Mike Murin. "They turned on the bats in the fifth inning (5 runs) and started pounding the ball.

"And it was a really gutsy effort by Alli. She got a little disappointed with the home runs but she continued to battle and hit her spots."