Palatine 2, Buffalo Grove 1

Oh, this isn't professional sports for sure.

But a little "financial talk" did sneak into visiting Palatine's 2-1 triumph over Buffalo Grove in the Mid-Suburban League softball crossover Tuesday.

As Pirates junior Anne Wcislo headed toward the mound in the top of the seventh to complete her eighth victory of the season in 12 starts, she received a few words from coach Jeff Manz.

"He told me their 2-3-4 hitters were coming up and that this is where I would earn my money," she said smiling. "Even though there's no money, there's pride. He gave me a confidence booster."

And Wcislo, with a boost from her defense, got the job done.

After the first Bison hitter started the inning with single to left, Palatine (10-7, 6-4) pulled off a double play on a bunt by Andrea DiPrima (2-for-4).

Third baseman Amy Modic fielded the ball and threw to freshman second baseman Katie Mnichowicz for the first out.

Mnichowicz then saw the runner at second heading toward third and zipped the ball to sophomore shortstop Heather Zimmerman, who made the tag as the runner tried to slide back into second.

"I was keeping an eye on the batter, expecting a bunt there," Modic said. "I was creeping up. Then when I threw it to Katie at first base, I knew she'd get the job done."

"We practice that play a lot," Wcislo said. "It paid off."

Wcislo's double to start the bottom of the fourth paid off, too.

The Pirates were down 1-0 so Manz had Steph Roto put down a sacrifice bunt, which got Wcislo (2-for-3) to third.

Zimmerman then grounded to second and the Bison caught Wcislo in a rundown. Eventually pitcher DiPrima made the tag on Wcislo at home plate.

However, Zimmerman scampered to third on the play and was singled home by Mnichowicz to tie the game at 1-1.

Minichowicz took third when Nikki Linares reached on error and scored on a double steal for the decisive run.

Buffalo Grove (10-10, 4-6) threatened in the sixth with the bases loaded and two outs.

But Wcislo got the final out on a ball hit back to the mound and a nice stretch by first baseman Breanne Quaritsch.

"Obviously, we knew they were a good hitting team and had won seven in row," Manz said. "Anne made some big pitches and we made some big plays behind her when we needed them."

BG grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third when freshman K.C. Dunne (infield single) and Katie Lee (bunt) reached. DiPrima then singled to center to bring home Dunne before Wcislo got the next two outs on a liner to Quaritsch and a groundout to Mnichowicz.

BG, the visitor on scoreboard, outhit the Pirates 9-3.

Lee and DiPrima were 2-for-4 for the Bison .

DiPrima (6-5) struck out three while Wcislo recorded 7 strikeouts.

Schaumburg 4, Hersey 1: Aly Poehlmann (2-for-3) and Nicole Chase (2-for-3, double) led Schaumburg (10-7, 5-5), which received a 2-hitter from junior Missy Anderson (8-5), who struck out seven and walked none.

Senior Mallory Donaghue had 3 strikeouts for the visiting Huskies (4-17, 3-7).

Barrington 6, Meadows 0: Kim Cygan (19-5) threw a 5-hitter with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk as host Barrington (19-5, 9-1) took a half-game lead over Fremd (8-1) in the MSL West .

Lindsey Dulla and Lisa Shandley were 2-for-4 for the Fillies while Maryclare Loughery had a double for the Mustangs (5-9, 4-6).

Elk Grove 11, Hoffman 0:ΠStephanie Maday (5 strikeouts, no walks) threw the first 5 innings to improve to 14-1 while Krystina Leazer worked the final with 2 innings and 2 strikeouts.

Nikki Goranson was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI as six other Grenadiers had 1 hit.

Senior Natalie Miceli pitched for the visiting Hawks (5-13-1, 2-8), who were the home team on the scoreboard.

Prospect 5, Conant 2: Amy Varner's 2-run triple and Cyndi Becker's RBI groundout broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh in Mount Prospect.

The Knights (12-5, 7-3), visiting team on the scoreboard, were led by Varner (2-for-4), Becker (2-for-4) Paige O'Neil (2-for-4), Nikki Surico (2-for-3) and Amanda Mlikan (double).

Freshman Paige Ward (2-for-2, double RBI) Christina Shelfo (2-for-4) and Lauren Ambrose (2-for-3, RBI) led Conant (3-12, 1-9).

Prospect junior Sheri Weidner (12-5) struck out 10 and walked none.

St. Viator 5, Fenwick 4: Emily Catenese struck out four for the win and Julie Sweeney earned the save for the Lions (2-9, 2-4), received a 2-run single by Tayler Lenart in the first inning.

Jessica Etchingham, Lauren Banaszak and Niki Dumele each had RBI for the Lions in the sixth.

Maine W. 11, Niles N. 1:ΠEmily Ott threw a 1-hitter with 10 strikeouts and no walks for Maine West (16-2, 7-0) in the Central Suburban North game.

Jenna Depa was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and a double. Amanda Wessel (home run), Ott (triple) and Jackie Janecek (double) had extra base hits for the host Warriors.