Parkison, Elk Grove edge Fremd

After two regular-season losses to Conant, Elk Grove’s softball team is hoping the third time is the charm when the two teams meet at 11 a.m. today for the Class 4A Barrington sectional crown.

On Friday afternoon, the third time around the batting order sure was the charm for the Grenadiers, who pulled out a dramatic 3-1 victory in the semifinal against Fremd.

Vikings ace Rachel Doering went through the Grens’ order two times without out giving up a hit and led 1-0 with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.

That’s when senior Dani Goranson blooped a single to center. Fremd’s Mandi Matsumoto nearly made another one of her terrific sprawling catches on the play.

Next up was Goranson’s catcher and classmate, Devan Parkison, for her third at-bat.

“Oh my goodness, “Goranson said. “I just knew Devan could come through when we needed it. We all talked about not doing this for us, but for coach (hall of fame Ken) Grams. He deserves it.”

Sure enough, Parkison blasted her third home run of the season over the center field fence for a 2-1 lead.

The Grens weren’t through, getting 3 more hits in a row for a 3-1 lead as Elk Grove (29-8) advanced to today’s final against Conant (33-3).

Parkison’s game-winner came on a 3-1 count.

“I was just mad at Mr. (Dick) Trent (assistant coach) for giving me the take sign at 3-0,” Parkison said with a big smile. “So I just put all my energy into that next pitch.”

The Grens’ hitting energy continued with sophomore Becca Maher’s bloop single to right field followed by Megan Keegan’s base hit to to left.

Carly Danek then singled to center to score Maher. On the play, Matsumoto threw to second baseman Megan Hubbard, who tossed a strike to third baseman Brittany Ciura to get the runner trying to reach third base.

With the 3-1 lead, Goranson (24-7) said she felt no pressure when she took the mound for the seventh.

The Michigan State-bound senior started the inning with her eighth strikeout, then got a groundout to shortstop Krista Soesbe.

Sophomore Leigh Farina (2-for-4) kept the Vikes’ hopes alive with a single to center before Goranson got the final out on a grounder back to the mound.

“Hitting is contagious,” Goranson said about the Grens’ big sixth-inning rally. “Oh yeah, we knew we didn’t have a hit to that point. They have a real nice scoreboard that shows the hits.”

Goranson said she got an inside pitch for the Grens’ first hit.

Parkison also hit her homer off an inside pitch.

“She did better with her inside pitch than I did,” Goranson said with a smile.

Fremd fans were smiling first on Friday when the Vikes (30-8) pushed across a run in the fifth inning.

Ashlynne Schwantz put down a perfect bunt with one out and advanced to second on Matusmoto’s sacrifice bunt.

Farina (2-for-4) then singled just past the outstretched glove of second baseman Maher to drive in the game’s first run.

Goranson got out of the inning with a strikeout and ended up throwing a 5-hitter.

“That home run was a really the only ball they squared up on all day,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “That’s the frustrating part of this game. That was only hard hit ball the whole game. Rachel (Doering, 17-5) threw a tremendous game.

“I could not be prouder of how we played the whole game. We pushed all the way. We had runners on base almost every inning. We executed our game plan just the way we wanted.”

Doering retired the side in order in 4 of the 5 five innings and faced only 16 batters (walk to Keegan).

“We have the utmost respect for Ken Grams and wish them all the luck in the world,” Weaver added. “I’m sure they will do a good job. It’s was just frustrating for us. It’s a maddening game at times.

“Not everyone has the character to play at the highest level but I think our kids did in this game. I just wish they would have been rewarded for it.”

Elk Grove was rewarded for its patience.

“We hit some excellent balls in the first inning, but right at them,” Grams said “I said OK, they will start falling. But then we weren’t doing much after that. Then all of sudden, we got it going (in the sixth).

“It’s funny how it’s gets contagious. Their pitcher was doing a good job. That’s why it pays to hang in there.”

The Grens lost to Conant 6-4 in a regular-season crossover and 5-3 in the MSL title game.

“Two close games,” Grams said. “Both were 2-run games and as you saw here, all of sudden you get a couple of runs in a close game and who knows?”