Elk Grove earns title-game berth
Elk Grove is back in the Mid-Suburban League softball championship game.
For the 21st time under Hall of Fame coach Ken Grams, the Grenadiers will play for the conference crown thanks to 10-0 six-inning victory over visiting Hersey on Friday.
Senior Marjorie's Sloans' 2-run homer capped a 6-run sixth inning for the host Grens and ended the game.
Elk Grove clinched its berth in the title game and at least a share of the MSL East crown.
The Grenadiers (24-7, 10-4) own a 2-game lead over Buffalo Grove (16-7, 8-2) and both teams have two games left.
The Grens defeated the Bison twice already to clinch the tiebreaker for their MSL championship game appearance.
EG sophomore Kylie Thomsen (11-3) threw a 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts while top hitters for the Grens were Sarah Pauscher (3-for-3, 3 runs) and Sloan (2-for-3, 3 RBI).
It was Sloan's second homer of the season and school-record 52nd for Elk Grove, which can clinch the East title outright with a win at Prospect at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Junior Alex Masnica doubled for the Grens while the 3 hits by Hersey came in the first three innings by Katie Wingerter, Danielle Sychowski and Jessica Schmiederer.
Conant 11, Fremd 1: Hailey Rothstein (4-for-4, 4 RBI), Morgan Bihun (2-for-4, 4 RBI, 1 run) and Lauren Grzelak each belted a home run for host Conant (20-6, 11-4) in the MSL West game.
Teammate Elisa Ambrose went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and a double.
Sara Neuman (9-3) threw a 4-hitter with 8 strikeouts for the win.
It was Rothstein's seventh home run of the spring.
Julia Wacker homered and Katie Niersbach doubled for Fremd (24-5, 11-4) while Kylie Hess and Julie Josten had singles.
Palatine 6, Hoffman Estates 4: Erin Davis notched the win for visiting Palatine (10-17, 6-10) at Hoffman (11-15, 4-10).
The Pirates' offense was led by Cassie Kerlin (2-for-3), Emily Griffin (2-for-2, RBI) and Maddie Craver (1-for-2, 2 ruin, stolen base, 2 walks).
Davis struck out two and made plays on five grounder hit up the middle.
The Pirates were being no hit until Craver got their first hit in the top of the fourth inning. She scored on Kerlin's 2-run single.
Hoffman loaded the bases in the first and second innings but the Pirates did not allow a run.
Shortstop Craver and third baseman Griffin each threw home to force the runners.
In the seventh, Craver made a diving catch on a ball hit up the middle and Davis knocked down a ground ball to help the Pirates hang on for the win.
Buffalo Grove 7, Wheeling 1: Senior Julia Camardo (16-6) struck out 13 and walked one with a 3-hitter as the Bison improved to 16-7 and 8-6.
Senior Caitlin Catino was 3-for-4 for BG with a double while teammate Emily Carnes was 2-for-3. Olivia Morini added a double for the Bison, who host Rolling Meadows at 11 a.m. today.
Nikki Mikosz tripled for the Wildcats (4-18, 3-12), who also received singles from Sydney Kaplan and Christina Ambrose.