Palatine seniors come through with victory
Palatine's senior day was a real hit.
And it ended with some nice glove work by Heather Zimmerman.
The senior third baseman raced to the fence to snare a foul ball over her left shoulder, giving classmate Chrissy Roto a 7-0 shutout over visiting Hersey in the Mid-Suburban League fourth-place crossover softball game.
"Our defense played really well, and that makes it easier on me," said Roto (12-10), who also got a nice play from freshman first baseman Lauren Logan in the first inning when she grabbed a line drive by Haley Henriksen and stepped on first for a double play. "My defense always picks me up."
"It was a great game," added Zimmerman after the Pirates won for the eighth time in 11 games. "We are communicating a lot better and trusting each other. If someone makes a mistake, we pick them right up."
Roto got the only run she needed in the first inning when Sam Salomone doubled home leadoff batter Katie Mnichowicz, who had walked and stole second.
"It felt really good coming out and getting a win with all the seniors," she said.
"It was nice to see all our seniors contribute," said Pirates coach Jeff Manz, whose club (20-13) has won 20 or more games in seven of his eight seasons.
Senior Melissa Serio had bunt hit, walk and scored 2 runs while classmate Kelli Burke singled to right to lead off the third.
Senior Megan Deegan, who ranks second in her class and will attend Dartmouth, advanced a runner to third in the fourth inning by hitting to the right side.
Salomone (2-for-4, 2 doubles, 4 RBI) also had a bases-loaded double in the sixth to make it 7-0.
Kim Ferraro went 2-for-3 for Hersey (9-23), while pitcher Aubrey Fulton (double) and second baseman Taylor Reeves had the only other hits off Roto.
Huskies first baseman Alyssa Kieffer made a nice scoop and stretch for a putout in the third inning.
Palatine center fielder Joanne Jablonski also made a nice running catch on Stacey Schmiederer's flyball in the sixth.
Schaumburg 7, Buffalo Grove 5: Sophomore Alyssa Lancaster (19-10) earned the win with 5 strikeouts and also went 2-for-3 for the host Saxons (22-10).
Other offensive leaders for the winners were Brianne Lingl (3-for-4, 3 runs), Shannon Giovannone (2-for-2, walk) and Nicole Chase (double).
KC Dunne (3-for-3, triple), Danielle Browne (2-for-4) and Emily Begnel (double) led the Bison (18-16).
Barrington 3, Prospect 0: Junior Kiley Dolezal (28-4) got the win with 7 strikeouts and no walks as host Barrington (30-4) has won 30 or more games for 10th straight seasons.
Liz Owen (2-for-4, double, 2 RBI) and Colleen Shandley (2-for-2, 2 runs) led the offense for Barrington. Prospect senior right fielder Jen Forssander went 2-for-3.
Sophomore Hanna Lythberg came in to pitch the final 5 innings for Prospect (12-18) and retired the last 12 batters.
Conant 8, Rolling Meadows 3: The host Cougars (20-11) rallied from a 3-0 deficit as sophomore Briana Cavin (12-10) went the final 42/3 innings, striking out five and allowing 2 hits for the win.
Freshman Miranda Cavin (4 RBI) belted a 3-run homer, her fifth of the season, in the bottom of the third for Conant, which received a double from Allie Bauch.
Abby Matayka belted a 2-run homer for Meadows in the third inning for the 3-0 lead. Maryclare Loughery was 2-for-3 for the Mustangs (19-15) while Megan O'Donnell and Josie Suchecki doubled and Sam Anderson tripled.
Wheeling 4, Hoffman Estates 2: Tori Menelle threw a 2-hitter, while Scout Scanlon (2 RBI, 1 run), Sara Kern (2 RBI), Becky Menelle (double) and Sami Spinabella (double, RBI) each had 2 hits for the visiting Wildcats (6-21) against the Hawks (3-22). Carrisa Adamson also doubled for the Wildcats.
Leyden 2, Morton 1 (8 innings): Morgan Maize (19-3) threw a 2-hitter with 15 strikeouts as the Eagles (27-6. 11-1) tied for first with Downers Grove South in the West Suburban Gold. Dana Thomas (2-for-4, double), Moira Quinlan (2 RBI), Christina Morgan (double) led the Eagles offense.