Fremd sticks with it, stops New Trier

Fremd’s softball team fell behind host New Trier 2-0 after two innings on Thursday at Duke Childs Field in Wilmette.

But with 6 wins behind them, the Vikes had learned discipline.

And so has junior pitcher Ashlynne Schwantz, who was not about to be rattled after the early deficit.

Instead, she buckled down and allowed 2 hits in the final six innings as Fremd (7-0) rallied for a 3-2 triumph over the Trevians, who were playing their first game of the season.

Schwantz (3-0) was given the lead with one swing of the bat.

Senior third baseman Brittany Ciura belted her second homer of the season, a 3-run blast over the center field fence with no outs in the top of the fifth inning.

No. 9 slapper Kristie Salerno opened the inning with an infield single and Mandi Matsumoto followed with a walk before Ciura hit a 2-2 pitch over the fence.

Shortstop Leigh Farina (2-for-3) was the only Viking with multiple hits.

Schwantz struck out three and walked two while tossing a 5-hitter.

“ I liked how we stayed after it offensively,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “Even when we were down 2-0, we were having good at-bats each inning.

“We were putting pressure on them but couldn’t get a run across. Then Brittany Ciura opened things up with her big hit.

“Ashlynne really settled down after the first inning and did a nice job keeping us in the game and letting the offense get her back into it.”

Ciura was 1-for-2 with a walk, stolen base and her 3 RBI.

“And she had a real good defensive game, too” Weaver said. “She cut off several balls between the third base and shortstop gap.”

Hoffman Estates 6, Deerfield 6: With a rain delay to start the game, the host Hawks and Warriors were tied when darkness settled in after 7 innings.

For the second straight game, Hoffman (1-1-1) made a dramatic rally in the seventh.

The Hawks scored 4 runs to tie Deerfield as Nicole LaBeck’s 2-run double cut the deficit to 6-5.

LaBeck then scored on an infield groundball by Kaileen Hendle to tie the 6-6.

Freshman pitcher Charlotte Allan later tripled with two outs before Deerfield got out of the seventh-inning jam with a strikeout.

Amanda Harris (2-for-4) Allan (2-for-4, triple, double), LaBeck (1-for-4, double, 3 RBI) and Hendle (2 RBI) led the offense for Hoffman.

Allan (1-1-1) struck out seven and walked two in her third start of the season.

The Hawks used a 5-run seventh-inning rally on Tuesday to defeat St. Viator 6-5.

Cary-Grove 12, Palatine 2 (6 innings): Grace Rohrwasser (1 run), Lauren Logan (1-for-3, 1 run) and Megan Hedstrom (1-for-3, RBI) were top offensive performers for the visiting Pirates (5-2). Hedstrom (2-2) struck out four.