Elk Grove powers past Prospect

No more small ball for these Grenadiers.

The softball teams of Elk Grove coach Kenny Grams have long been known for manufacturing runs and playing the game base to base.

But this year, the Grens have often been circling the bases in one big swoop with 14 home runs in 16 games.

Junior center fielder Kristen Cetkovic became the eighth different Grenadier to hit one on Monday.

And Cetkovic wasn't done after her first one in the second inning.

She blasted another one to just about the same spot in center field in the sixth inning as the Grenadiers topped host Prospect 7-1 in the Mid-Suburban East.

Teammate Dani Goranson got into the long ball act, too, clubbing her third one of the season, a solo blast just one out after Cetkovic's in the sixth.

"My mom said she'd give me 5 dollars if I hit one over the fence," said Cetkovic, who was 3-for-4 with 3 runs. "So Dani said we're going to Chipotle (for dinner)."

The Grens (14-2) are going to be the ones to catch in the MSL East, as they have started out 4-0.

"It's just a mental thing," Cetkovic said about her sudden explosion with the bat. "I'd been going up there nervous and with bad thoughts. Now, I'm just thinking about keeping my hands back and keeping my weight back. I'm just more relaxed."

Cetkovic, who had a grand slam last spring, also hit 5 homers on the junior varsity team as a sophomore.

"She's just getting a feel for things on the varsity and start to find a comfort zone," Grams said. "She's a strong kid."

Senior Stephanie Maday (6-1) earned the win with a 3-hitter and 3 strikeouts while Hanna Lythberg also struck out three for Prospect (3-9, 2-2).

Jessica Balzano, who is hitting .649, also went 3-for 4 for Elk Grove with a double and 2 runs.

The senior second baseman has hit safely in all 16 games.

"She's been hitting the ball so well," Grams said. "She has been on a tear. And Stephanie (Maday) pitched a real solid game. She was on control of her pitches."

Balzano was kept quite busy early in the game.

After right fielder Amanda Gattone threw out the first batter of the game at first base, the next five Knights all hit that ball at Balzano. She made two catches on liners and threw the other three out to first baseman Rebecca Walz.

"Elk Grove outhit us," said Prospect coach Brenda Martin. "They did a great job. I thought we were still making good contact but we just didn't break through."

Palatine 4, Barrington 3 (11 inn.): Freshman Lauren Logan's bases-loaded single in the top of the 11th scored Melissa Serio for the decisive run as visiting Palatine improved to 10-6 and 3-1 in the MSL West.

Sam Salomone (3-for-6) produced a one-out 2-run single to score Serio (2-for-5) and Katie Mnichowicz (3-for-6) and give the Pirates a 3-1 lead in top of the fifth.

Barrington answered in the bottom of the inning when Liz Owen (2-for-5) collected a one-out 2-run single to score Kelly Kazmier and Colleen Shandley (2-for-6).

Chrissy Roto pitched the first 42/3 innings for Palatine while Dani Boisvert went the final 61/3 innings to get the win.

Kiley Dolezal went all 11 for Barrington, striking out 11 and allowing 10 hits.

"Palatine got the clutch hits when it needed and deserved to win the game," said Fillies coach Perry Peterson, who team (12-3, 2-2) got a first-inning home run from freshman Loren Krzysko.

Buffalo Grove 4, Rolling Meadows 3 (8 inn.): Junior Maria Dax (6-4) pitched all eight innings, striking out seven and walking three for host Buffalo Grove (10-6, 1-3).

Meadows freshman Sara Brunlieb went the final 22/3 innings and took the loss in relief of Josie Suchecki.

Kami Hutchings singled to center with one out in the eighth. KC Dunne singled to right to advance Hutchings to second. Hutchings went to third on an error on the play and came home on Erin Barton's single to right.

Senior Maryclare Loughery (2-for-4) hit safely in her 30th consecutive game for Meadows (7-6, 0-4).

Wheeling 8, Hersey 4: First-year Wheeling coach Mike Caringella earned his first conference win as freshman Sara Kern led the Wildcats' offense by going 4-for-4 with 2 doubles, 3 runs and 3 RBI.

Tori Menelle got the win while Scout Scanlon (2-for-3, 2 runs, stolen base), Sami Spinabella (2-for-4, RBI), Becky Menelle (2-for-4, double, 3 RBI) and Alyson Fallon (triple, RBI) were other key hitters for Wheeling (2-8, 1-3).

Visiting Hersey is 3-12 and 0-4.

Conant 11, Hoffman Estates 1 (5 inn.): Briana Cavin (3-for-4), Miranda Cavin (3-for-4), Kim Jacobson (2-for-3), Allie Bauch (2-for-3) and Paige Ward (2-for-3) led the offense for host Conant (15-2, 3-1) while Briana Cavin (8-2) got the pitching win.

Emily Fett (2-for-3) and Kelsey Pellus (doubled) led the offense for Hoffman (2-4, 2-2).

Fremd 10, Schaumburg 0 (5 inn.): After giving up a leadoff single to Alyssa Lancaster, Fremd senior Lena Brottman (11-1) retired 15 of the next 16 batters she faced to earn the 5-inning shutout with 7 strikeouts and no walks.

Lauren Zaworski belted a homer for visiting Fremd, going 1-for-2 with 3 RBI and 3 runs.

Jenny Schneider (3-for-4, 4 RBI), Alexis Cinquegrani and Megan Hubbard each doubled for the Vikings, who are now 12-1 and 4-0 in the MSL West.

St. Viator 5, Nazareth 2: St. Viator (11-4) won its second ESCC game as Julie Sweeney (8-1) recorded the victory with 3 strikeouts.

The host Lions were led on offense by sophomore shortstop Alex Flasch (RBI) and junior right fielder Torey Lenart (2 RBI), who each had 2 hits while Kristen Cozzi doubled.

Sweeney had a sacrifice fly to score a run in the bottom of the fifth while Flasch followed with a 2-run single.

Abby Dickey's sacrifice fly to right scored Ronnie Mack in the sixth and Torey Lenart stole home for the fifth run.

Resurrection 5, Maine West 2: Freshman Ariel Valles and sophomore Angela Cruz had doubles for the visiting Warriors (6-9) in the nonconference game.