Elk Grove 2, Buffalo Grove 0

Having won 11 of its last 12 games, Buffalo Grove's softball team serves as one of the most dangerous in the Mid-Suburban League.

So Elk Grove, leading the MSL East by 1½ games over Prospect, could hardly look past the Bison on Wednesday.

"We knew we had to stay focused after our loss to Prospect (3-1 on Monday)," said Elk Grove veteran third baseman Kayla Mahoney.

The Grenadiers were indeed all business Wednesday at Buffalo Grove (14-11, 6-7).

Sophomore Stephanie Maday (16-3) threw a 1-hitter and struck out eight in 5 innings for a 2-0 shutout.

The game was called because of rain with Elk Grove batting in the top of the sixth. Thus, it was an official five-inning contest.

Elk Grove (24-4, 11-3) remained 1½ games in front of Prospect (15-8, 9-4) with two to play.

Maday got all the offense she needed in the third.

Amber Hane led off with a single to center followed by Brittany Tranchita's base hit to right.

After freshman Andrea DiPrima (7-6) recorded a strikeout, Grenadiers freshman Jessica Balzano lined a single to right.

Hane raced home to score from second base and Tranchita headed to third.

Bison catcher Katie Lee threw out the batter trying to advance to second but Tranchita made it home safely from third after a collision at the plate with Lee for the 2-0 advantage.

Stephanie Dolce led off the fourth with a bloop double to right field and went to third on Mahoney's hard groundout to third.

A heads-up Lee and shortstop Stephanie Rudolfi then hooked up for a pick-off at third base.

Olivia Roback and Jamie Campus also had hits the Grenadiers.

"They're a good hitting team, they have a strong lineup top to bottom," said Bison coach Laura Stock. "They got hits in a timely matter and deserved to win."

Buffalo Grove's only hit was a two-out single to center in the first inning by DiPrima.

After Lee drew a lead-off walk in the second and advanced to second and third on passed balls, Maday retired the final 12 batters she faced.

"My fastball and rise ball were working well," she said. "And it's always nice when you get that cushion (2-0 lead in third). We wanted to come back from the loss on Monday and get back on track."

Maday got solid defensive help, too.

Grens center fielder Amanda Mertes made a nifty shoestring grab to rob Mallory Smith of a hit in the first inning while Campus made a terrific back-handed diving stab on a line drive to rob Rudolfi in the fourth.

Fremd 2, Hoffman Estates 0: Junior Jessica Tackett belted a two-out solo homer to left center field in the second inning and sophomore Kelly Voigt (2-for-3, RBI) doubled home Stacey Stutzman with one out in the first inning for the Vikings (22-2, 12-2).

Fremd sophomore Lena Brottman (16-2) struck out five and walked none while tossing a 3-hitter.

Kaitlin Walsh threw a 6-hitter with 9 strikeouts and 1 walk for Hoffman (6-15-1, 3-10). Colleen Roberts was 2-for-3 for the Hawks, who host Schaumburg at 4:30 p.m. today.

Prospect 3, Hersey 0: Seniors Jessica King and Cyndi Becker and junior Lisa Dominick each had RBI singles for the Knights (15-8, 9-4), who received a 2-hitter from senior ace Sheri Weidner (15-6) with 2 strikeouts.

Senior first baseman Mary Kate Ward had a leadoff double in the fourth inning and came home on Dominick's single.

The Knights host Wheeling today at 4:30 p.m.

Hersey (7-18, 4-9) travels to Buffalo Grove.

Rolling Meadows 5, Wheeling 1: Senior catcher Angela Mahanna (2-for-3, 4 RBI) belted a 2-run single and 2-run double in the first and third innings and also became Meadows' all-time leader for hits with 110.

Senior Bonnie Weglarz and junior Maddy Urban also doubled for the Mustangs (7-13, 6-8).

Freshman Kayla Mueller (2-1) pitched the first four innings to notch the win while Carissa Stewart went the final three.

Sophomore Tori Menelle suffered the loss for Wheeling (6-15, 2-11).

Barrington 8, Conant 0 (suspended): The Fillies (21-6, 11-2) led 8-0 after four innings as junior ace Kim Cygan (20-6) struck out six and walked one.

Michal Jane Maropis (2-for-3), Cygan (2-for-3) and Jessica McGurn doubled for the hosts.

The game will pick up today at 4:30 p.m. in the top of the fifth inning.

Christina Shelfo led off the second with the only hit for Conant (4-16, 1-12).

Fillies catcher Devinne Wapotish threw out a runner trying to stealing second as shortstop Maropis made the tag to complete a double play (strike out) that ended the second inning.