Jacobson blasts 2 homers in Conant romp

Kim Jacobson was the "two-out wrecking machine" for Conant's softball team in its 15-0 nonconference victory at Maine West Thursday.

The sophomore belted 3-run homers with two outs in the fifth and sixth innings and went 3-for-4 with 6 RBI and a double.

"Kim was in a great groove today and showed it with her 2 home runs," said Cougars assistant coach Kelly Wolff after they improved to 6-0.

Sophomore Brianna Cavin (3-0) fired a 1-hitter for Conant, striking out nine and walking three.

Junior Paige Ward went 3-for-3 for the Cougars, while teammate Hilary O'Donnell was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. Sarah Pawlik added a triple and an RBI.

"Today showed how tough and determined this varsity team is this year," Wolff said. "Despite the frigid temperatures, everyone worked together to stay warm and bat well. The team played solid behind Bri Cavin with no errors and scoring almost every inning.

"Everyone contributed," Wolff added. "We got great bunts by Ariel Salinas and Allie Bauch and solid communication on each play. We need to continue playing this strong as we head into our conference games in a few weeks."

Katie Fitzgerald had the hit for Maine West (0-6).

Buffalo Grove sweeps: Buffalo Grove (6-0) continued its early-season winning ways with 7-6 and 15-1 nonconference wins over the visiting Maroons (2-5).

Junior Maria Dax (3-0) won the opener with a 6-hitter, recording 8 strikeouts. She did not allowan earned run.

Junior KC Dunne (2-for-4) belted a homer and double for the Bison, while Andrea DiPrima (3-for-3), Emily Begnel and Ali Levato each had doubles.

Sophomore Sara Penelle walked in the sixth and eventually scored on a series of wild pitches for the game-winning run.

Dax struck out the side in the sixth and struck out the final batter of the seventh inning, leaving the tying run stranded on second base.

The Bison clubbed 12 hits in the five-inning nightcap, as DiPrima (3-0) threw a 2-hitter with 5 strikeouts and no walks.

Dunne (3-for 4, 3 runs) and DiPrima (3-for-3, 3 RBI) each had home runs.

Emily Begnel went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI.

Dunne led off the game with a homer and DiPrima added a leadoff home run in the third.

The Bison scored 9 runs on 7 hits (Dunne, Danni Shapiro, Begnel, Danielle Browne, Jessie Lazzara, and DiPrima) in the fourth inning.

Loyola 9, Prospect 7: Prospect (1-1), which trailed 8-1, fell to defending Class 4A state champ Loyola in the Illinois Bash Jamboree played indoors at the McCook Max in McCook.

Streamwood sweeps Wheeling: The host Sabres won the nonconference games 11-1 and 12-2 in six innings.

College

Harper College sophomore infielder/catcher Alyssa Collins (Prospect) has been named the NJCAA player of the week, the first Division III competitor to receive the award this year.

Collins collected 2 pitching wins for the Hawks, who are currently playing five games in Kansas.

Collins went 5-for-7, including 2 home runs, in a doubleheader against Morton College on March 18. She also stole 3 bases and had 6 RBI.

The Hawks dropped a pair Monday (8-0 and 6-2) to Hesston College, Kan. Harper makes its home debut April 3 against Rock Valley College.