Softball: Atlas, Peterson help Barrington blank Elk Grove
Barrington's No. 2 and 3 hitters were No. 1 when it came to collecting RBI on Friday.
Leyden Atlas (2-for-3), who bats No. 3 in the lineup, and No. 2 Kendall Peterson (3-for-4) combined for 6 of their team's RBI as the Fillies posted a 7-0 win over Mid-Suburban East softball leader Elk Grove at the Fields of Dreams.
"That part of their lineup hurt us," said Grenadiers coach Ken Grams. "They bunched their hits together there real well and that's how you score runs."
Atlas belted a 2-run homer in the second inning and an RBI double in the sixth while Peterson had a pair of RBI doubles and an RBI single.
"We expect that from those two kids every day," said Barrington coach Perry Peterson. "Those two are elite hitters. It was a great day for us."
It was a great day for Barrington sophomore pitcher Jackie Albrecht (5-0), who scattered 4 hits while striking out six, including the last two batters she faced.
The Fillies raised their record to 16-3 and 7-1 in the MSL West while Elk Grove dropped to 18-3 and 5-2.
The Grenadiers' 4 hits came in four different innings - 2 singles by AJ Trausch, a single by Morgan Leach and an opposite-field double down the left field line by Olivia Masnica.
"Jackie Albrecht did a very good job keeping us off balance" said Grams, whose club had scored 38 runs in its last two games. "We haven't seen someone change speeds like she did and at the same time throw strikes.
"We really didn't hit the ball hard too many times today and I give her all the credit. We were just off balance and didn't get many good swings."
Senior Patty Lidbury also had some good swings for Barrington, as the senior left fielder went 2-for-3 from the No. 8 spot with a triple and a double.
Also getting hits for Barrington Katherine Stagnito, Gina Magro, Samantha Murphy and Brynn Nevers (double). Catcher Caroline Huttinger had an RBI groundout in the Fillies' 4-run second inning.
Atlas now has 6 homers for the season.
"I love batting with people on base," said the Hofstra recruit. "I like the challenge. It puts pressure on me and I feel like it just puts my mind into the game."
Two of the best coaches in the game were on the field Friday.
Grams and Peterson are Illinois' top two active winningest coaches - Grams with 943 wins and Peterson with 828.
"Mr. Grams has been a great family friend as long as I can remember," said Northwestern recruit Kendall Peterson. "He was at my first birthday party so it's always so special playing Elk Grove. I have so much respect for his teams."