Grant clinches NSC Prairie title
Grant softball coach Mike Dolezal admits he might have had more talented teams, but his 2013 squad has done something none other has done.
The Bulldogs wrapped up their first North Suburban Conference Prairie Division championship Tuesday by beating host Round Lake 18-1.
It’s the first division or conference championship of any kind for Grant since 1988, when it played in the old Northwest Suburban Conference.
“It’s a great feeling,” Dolezal said. “It’s a hardworking group of girls, and they’ve been a fun group to coach.”
One player who’s displayed her talent lately is junior first baseman Jamie Reiser, who extended her consecutive-hit streak to 12 against Round Lake. Reiser, who homered and doubled, had hits her first two times up before making an out. She finished 4-for-5.
Caitlyn Moran earned the win.
Grant visits Zion-Benton today in the NSC championship game.
Stevenson 14, Mundelein 5: The Patriots trailed 5-4 heading into the top of the seventh in the North Suburban Lake finale, then scored 10 runs.
Abby O’Connor’s 3-run homer (her fourth home run of the season) was the big blow in the eight-hit frame for Stevenson (14-13, 4-8).
O’Connor finished 2-for-5. Other Patriots with big games offensively included Morgan Manka (4-for-5, 3 RBI), Taylor Koenigs (3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI) and Lexi Yonkovic (3-for-5, 2 runs). Yonkovic, Manka and Kat Trotter all had doubles. Winning pitcher Sam Feder allowed 2 earned runs and struck out nine.
Mundelein’s Maddie Zazas led off the bottom of the first with a home run. Haley Morelli also homered for the Mustangs (22-10, 7-5).
Lake Zurich 17, Lake Forest 0: Maria Schroeder went 4-for-5 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI, as the Bears won the North Suburban Lake finale in six innings.
Lake Zurich (16-9, 8-4) received 3 hits apiece from Katie Brown (4 stolen bases, 3 runs, RBI), Mallory Parsons (double, 3 RBI, 2 runs) and Brittney Pettinger (double, 2 runs, RBI). Carlee Parsons (2-for-5) and Kaylee Grant tripled. Freshman Katie Malek pitched a 3-hitter.
Huntley 4, Grayslake North 2: Jordyn Bowen (2 doubles) and Kelsey Borders each had 2 hits for the Knights.
Vernon Hills 6, Lakes 2: With the scored tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Jordyn Comitor blasted a one-out grand slam to give Vernon Hills the dramatic victory.
The Cougars, who moved to 7-13 overall and finished 7-5 in the NSC Prairie Division, also got a 3-for-3 performance at the plate out of Jenn Claussen. She also got the pitching win, striking out 8 batters and walking just one.
Carmel 10, Deerfield 0 (5): Kathleen Felicelli, Jenny Behan and Amanda Elert each had 2 hits apiece to lead Carmel to the big win. Elert, just a freshman, had a double and a home run, Behan had a home run and Felicelli had a triple. Carmel is now 20-9 on the season.
Warren 12, Libertyville 2: Kelly Majewski and Jill Fox both homered for Warren in the big victory.
Majewski finished with 2 hits, as did Megan Scott. Meanwhile, Megan Sowa finished with a team-leading 3 hits, including a double. Winning pitcher Jenny Carpenter rolled up 6 strikeouts and did not allow a walk for Warren, which is now 20-6 overall and 9-3 in the NSC Lake Division.