Bears team up for win

Megan Mattera became the first pitcher to defeat Fremd's highly regarded softball team this spring.

But the Lake Zurich sophomore was hardly taking credit for a 5-4 victory over the visiting Vikings.

"Everyone worked hard for this," Mattera said. "I don't want the credit. Fremd (5-1) is a good team and I just tried to give it my all."

It was all Lake Zurich early as the Bears (5-2) took a 5-1 lead after four innings.

Consecutive two-out singles by Erin Sweeney (RBI), Paige Goldberg and Alex Block (RBI) led to 3 runs in the second. Mattera's leadoff double to right-center in the fifth led to a pair of unearned runs as she and Tabbetha Bohac crossed the plate.

Mattera did not give up a hit until Jenny Schneider led off the fifth inning with a single and two-base error which put her at third base. Jessica Tackett had an RBI single in the inning and Tess Dinterman belted a 2-out, 2-run triple to right-center to cut the deficit to 5-4.

"She moved the ball around well on us," Schneider said of Mattera, who is now 4-1. "She made us work harder than any pitcher we've seen this season."

The Vikings did not help themselves with 4 errors in the first four innings.

"But we don't let the offense and defense affect each other," Schneider added. "It's like two separate games."

Mattera struck out six while tossing a 4-hitter.

"That was not the Fremd team I'm used to seeing on the field," said Vikings coach Jim Weaver. "We've got to play with more passion.

"The biggest positive I could see was our bench. It was outstanding the way those kids cheered and encouraged us, and Tess Dinterman really stepped up and handled the pressure well. I'm proud of her."

Fremd junior Lena Brottman (4-1) tossed a 5-hitter while striking out seven.

Lake Zurich coach Becky Lewandowski liked how her team ran the bases.

"That was big," she said. "They were so composed and so smart on the bases. I've been so impressed with these kids, the way they play as a team. They do the little things right and work so well together. Fremd has a fantastic program and we knew we'd have to be ready."

Senior Coryn Schmitt caught Mattera's fourth varsity win.

"We knew Fremd was good," Schmitt said. "We were a little worried when they rallied late in the game but we held our composure."

Grant 3, Buffalo Grove 2: Freshman Becca Winter went 2-for-3 for the host Bison (7-2) while sophomore teammates K.C Dunne and Danni Shapiro each had doubles.

Sophomore Emily Bengel (3-1) did not give up an earned run while throwing a 5-hitter, striking out six and walking none.

Grant (2-5) won with a 3-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.

Lake Park 6, Conant 2: Freshman Brianna Cavin and Jessica Gennuso each had 2 hits for the Cougars (4-4) in the nonconference game in Roselle.

Cavin (2-3) struck out 10 and walked 3 while going all 7 innings.

Schaumburg 6, St. Viator 3: Senior Missy Anderson (3-0) threw a 3-hitter with 11 strikeouts for the visiting Saxons (4-0), who were led on offense by sophomore Alexis Carrevetta (3-for-5).

Sophomore Brianne Lingle and junior Theresa McGreevy had an RBI for the winners.

Mundelein 3, Prospect 2: Senior Lisa Dominick (2-for-3) collected an RBI groundout to score sophomore Mary Styzek in the seventh and Dominick scored on senior Kathyrn Dillon's RBI single in the first.

Freshman Sage Rebecca had the other hit for the host Knights (1-7).

Knights freshman Hanna Lythberg went all 7 innings, throwing a 5-hitter with 2 earned runs, 2 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Dillon also made a nice catch near the centerfield fence in the third inning to prevent extra bases.

Elk Grove 11, Glenbrook S. 0 (5): One day after scoring 16 runs against Maine West in five innings, the Grenadiers' bats were flying again with 16 hits, including a 4-for-4 performance from senior Nikki Groanson (3 RBI, double, 2 runs).

Other multiple hitters were Stephanie Maday (2-for-2, 2 RBI, double), Stephanie Dolce (2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI) and freshman Megan Keegan (2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI).

Caitlin Garrison doubled and Brittany Tranchita tripled for the visiting Grenadiers (8-1).

Maday (8 strikeouts, no walks), who is 4-1, worked the first three innings for the win while Krystina Leazer (2 strikeouts, no walks) went the final two.

Barrington 9, Elmwood Park 1: The Fillies (10-1) handed visiting Elmwood Park its second straight loss after a 4-0 start.

Senior Kim Cygan (10-1) went five innings, striking out three and walking two while Kiley Dolezal went the final two innings with 4 strikeouts and no walks.

Top hitters for the Fillies were Colleen Shandley (3-for 4, RBI), Jordan Wekony (3-for-4, RBI), Kelsey Kazmier (2-for-4, RBI) and Lindsey Dulla (2-for-4, RBI).

Leyden 10, Fenton 7: Freshman Morgan Maize, senior Nicole Spisak and sophomore Brianna Michels all doubled for Leyden (4-3) while teammate Alyssa Stephens had a triple.

Maize (3-1) earned the win on the mound.