Mustangs team up, defeat Conant

A polished veteran and rising rookie proved to be the winning combination for Rolling Meadows' softball team with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning on Monday.

Freshman Natalie Cannizzo, earning a reputation for delivering in the clutch, singled up the middle to score senior shortstop Maddy Urban from second base, giving the Mustangs a hard-fought 1-0 victory over visiting Conant.

Urban's one-out bloop double to left came after Conant freshman ace Briana Cavin (14 strikeouts) had struck out eight straight.

Mary Loughery followed with a bloop infield single before Cannizzo stepped to the plate.

"I just knew I wanted to score on a base hit," said Urban, who sprinted home from second. "She (Cannizzo) did a great job to get that hit. It's just nice to know that when we are struggling at the plate we were still able to get a win, almost like we stole a win. Their pitcher did a great job."

Meadows pitcher Kayla Mueller (4-1) also pitched a strong game, striking out two while tossing 3-hitter. The sophomore right-hander has gone 15 straight innings without giving up a run.

There were no walks in the game.

"I just tried not to give up any walks," Mueller said. "Because those turn into runs. I was just trying to hit my spots."

Conant (9-11, 3-4) had runners on base in each of the last two innings.

Mustangs first baseman Libby Marsh made a nice stretch to get the final putout of the sixth while left fielder Cannizzo made a nice grab to her right to prevent extra bases and an RBI by freshman Kim Jacobson in the top of the seventh.

"Kayla pitched a great game," said Meadows coach Tony Wolanski. "As did their freshman (Cavin). Libby did a great job at first base. For probably our past 16 games, she has played a great first base which has been a big key for us."

Junior shortstop Amanda VanJacobs was 2-for-3 for Conant while Cavin's single to center was Conant's other hit.

Cavin's 14 strikeouts were one shy of her career high 15.

"Briana bears down and focuses," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith. "We told our girls we had some good hits. Amanda (VanJacobs) was great. Unfortunately, we didn't string them together.

"Then we let down mentally on defense in the seventh and that wasn't the time to do it. We didn't have any runs on the board to back us up, so that's what happens."

Cavin (5-6) had faced only 19 batters heading into the seventh inning.

Designated player Emily Skorin had been the only Mustang to reach with a two-out single to center in the second.

But Meadows (9-12, 5-5) got three straight singles to end the game, capped by Cannizzo's game-winner.

"Natalie has come through for us like that before," Wolanski said. "She has been a good clutch hitter. And Maddy has been in a little slump. I tried to tell her good pitchers are going to get you out sometimes. She came through with that double.

"The nice thing is that she is playing excellent defense. She is our leader. We go as she goes."

The Mustangs also got a key play from third baseman Abby Matayka in the second inning when the sophomore made a nice backhand stab of sophomore Kailee Prasbrig's grounder and threw to Marsh to prevent a runner scoring from third base.

Fremd 10, Buffalo Grove 0 (5): Kelly Voigt (3-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Jenny Schneider (2-for-3, RBI, 1 run), Casey Latal (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 run, double) and Alexa Cinquegrani (double) led the offense for visiting Fremd (18-1, 8-0).

Vikings junior ace Lena Brottman (14-1) struck out six in four innings for the win while Casey Latal (4-0) had 1 strikeout throwing the final inning.

Sophomores K.C. Dunne and Andrea DiPrima had the 2 hits for Buffalo Grove (13-11, 2-7) while Maria Dax (5-2) suffered the loss.

Barrington 4, Hersey 0: Junior Nora Logue (2-for-3) belted her fourth home run of the season over the left field fence in the fourth inning and senior Kim Cygan (21-2) threw a 2-hitter with 9 strikeouts to lift the visiting Fillies (23-2, 9-1).

"I just always go up there trying to hit it hard," said Logue about her solo blast over the left-field fence. "It was the first pitch. I just saw it and got the bat out front."

Lindsey Dulla also went 2-for-3 for the Fillies while Alyssa Kieffer and Aubrey Fulton had the 2 hits for Hersey (5-13, 4-5).

Hoffman Estates 5, Wheeling 2: Hoffman senior shortstop Colleen Roberts went 2-for-4 with an RBI and classmate Kaitlin Walsh threw a 2-hitter with 13 strikeouts for the Hawks (6-14, 1-7).

Alex Wulbecker also belted a homer for Hoffman and had 2 RBI while teammate Kelsey Pellus added a double.

Scout Scanlon and Samie Spinabella had the hits for Wheeling (2-12, 0-8).

Schaumburg 8, Prospect 1: Senior Missy Anderson (9-5) threw a 2-hitter with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk for the Saxons (10-8, 5-4), who were led on offense by Aly Poehlmann (3-for-4, 2 doubles) Nicole Chase (3-for-4) and Caitlin Becker (2-for-3).

Sophomore Nikki Surico singled home junior Allison Malewig (who had singled) for Prospect's only run in the bottom of the fifth. Junior Amanda Mlikan had the other hit for the Knights (4-18, 2-7).

Elk Grove 5, Palatine 0: Junior Stephanie Maday (four innings) and freshman Dani Goranson (three innings) combined to face only 22 batters and allowed only 1 hit as the Grenadiers improved to 21-1 and 8-0 in the MSL East.

Nikki Goranson (2-for-2, walk, double), Stephanie Dolce (2-for-3, double) and Amanda Mertes (3-for-4) led the offense along with Caitlin Garrison, who belted a solo homer in the third inning, her second of the season.

Maday (12-1) struck out five and Dani Goranson (7-0) had four.

The Pirates' only hit was sophomore Joanne Jablonski's single to center as the third hitter in the first inning.

Senior Michelle Dellamaria was the only other base-runner for Palatine (10-10, 4-5) as she drew a walk in the fifth inning.

Katie Scovic followed with a hard liner that was caught by third baseman Krystina Leazer, who threw to first baseman Dolce for an inning-ending double play.

St. Viator 8, Fenwick 4: The Lions (8-14) were led by winning pitcher Julie Sweeney, who also had 4 RBIs on 3 hits including a bases-loaded triple to break the game open. Torey Lenart and Kristen Cozzi each had 2 RBIs and Tayler Lenart drove in a run for the Lions.