Softball: Saxons pitcher slams door on Hersey

Talk about a grand return to the pitcher's mound.

After missing a few starts due to a knee injury, Schaumburg senior Paige Alt was back in the circle on Wednesday.

And did she ever circle the bases - twice.

Alt belted a grand slam in the fifth inning and another one in the bottom of the 13th inning to account for all the runs in the Saxons' 8-6 triumph over visiting Hersey in Wednesday's Mid-Suburban League softball crossover game.

Alt (10-5, 7-3) earned the win over Hersey freshman Sarah Bailitz (10-8).

Alt finished the game the game 4-for-6, also hitting a pair of singles.

Other multiple hitters for the Saxons were Michelle Birkholz ((2-6), Kaiden Jackson (2-for-6) and Sarah Schwind (2-for-6).

Christina Candotti, Natalie Napier, Micaela Encarnacion and Janalee Lyke (double) also had hits for Schaumburg (19-8).

Hersey (17-12) was led by Makayla Tsagalis (2-for-6), Hannah Graff (2-for-7), Kim Labahn (2-for-6, home run, 2 RBI) and Sofia Cano (2-for-6, double).

Kaitlyn Denten (double, RBI) and Jodie Hermann (double, RBI) also had hits for the Huskies, who host Evanston on Friday (senior day) in Arlington Heights.

Barrington 8, Buffalo Grove 0: Sophomore Catherine McMahon (20-6) went five innings, striking out six, to earn the win for host Barrington (25-7). Classmate Caroline Hoppe did not give up a hit in the final two innings.

Top hitters for the Fillies were Haley Luczak (2-for-4, RBI, double), Rachel Krzysko (2-for-4, RBI, double), Jenna Fingerman (2-for-4, RBI), Kelly Katis (2-for-2, 2 RBI), Rachel Macdonald (2-for-4, 2 runs) and Liz Sweeney (double).

Junior Jasmine Avalos doubled for the Bison (8-19) who also received a hit from Bailey Williams.

Hoffman 16, Wheeling 5 (5 inn): Sophomores Giselle Velazquez (2-for-2, 2 doubles), Mary Bean (3-for-3, 3 RBI, walk) and Allura Magsino (2-for-3) were multiple hitters for the host Hawks (4-24).

Sophomore Martina DeAstis (3 RBI) had a 2-run single and groundout RBI) while seniors Jordyn Fera and Alyssa Ayala and sophomore Jackie Folmar (double) also hit safely.

Junior Megan Amato earned the win with a 7-hitter and 3 strikeouts.

Wheeling (0-21) was led on offense by pitcher Dakota Medrano who was 2-for-3 with a double.

Palatine 20, Prospect 10 (5 inn.): With the score tied 10-10 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, host Palatine scored 10 runs to win the MSL crossover.

Grace Huff (3-for-4) walk, 4 runs, 3 RBI), Maddie Craver (2-for-4, double, 2 RBI), Megan Breytenbach (2-for-4, walks, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and Victoria Parrott (3-for-4, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, 2 runs) led the offense for Plaatine (10-16).

Sophomore Maddie Craver (5 strikeouts) earned the win in relief of Jenna Patano, who left with a 6-4 lead in the top of the third inning.

Lauren Caldrone had 3 doubles for Prospect (6-20) while teammates Alyssa Cacini and Cate Meersman each had one.

Carmel Catholic 12, St. Viator 2 (5 inn.): Olivia Michalik (2 hits) scored host St. Viator's first run in the second inning on a wild pitch.

The Lions (10-18) scored their second run in the bottom of the fourth with three singles by Meg Naughton, Cam Van Valkenburg (2 hits) and Aryana Ziakas.