Softball: Fremd's fast start led by Stevens' home run
Senior Grace Stevens went 3-for-4 with a home run, 3 RBI and 3 runs to help lead the Fremd offense in a 10-3 win over visiting York at Heritage Park in Wheeling on Thursday.
Stevens got her bat rolling early, as she belted a 2-run homer in the Vikings' 6-run first inning.
"Our offense was explosive in the first inning, led by Gianna Arnieri (leadoff batter) who had a great 9-pitch at-bat," said Fremd coach Josh Teschner. "Then Grace (Stevens) ignited the offense with a 240-foot homer to left-center. She had four great at-bats to get out of a beginning-of-the-season funk."
Fremd led 9-1 after three innings and that proved to be plenty for undefeated senior right-hander Jessica Mazur.
The Georgia Southern recruit (3-0) went all 7 innings, throwing a 4-hitter with 8 strikeouts.
Mazur also went 2-for-2 at the plate with a run and an RBI.
Also getting hits for the Vikings (4-1) were Lexi D'Ambrosio (2 runs) and Kaylee Goluch (RBI).
Teammates Arnieri, McKenna Schneider and Hannah Ban each scored 1 run.
"It was a good team win over a talented York team (three Division I recruits)," added Teschner, whose club is scheduled to face Warren (5-1) on Friday at Heritage Park, weather permitting.
Palatine 7, Cary Grove 3: Senior Sarah Grossman (3-0) earned the win as she recorded 9 strikeouts for the Pirates (5-0). Sophomore Rhiann Dick, who had 2 hits, came in for the save.
"Pitching in this weather is extremely difficult and I really hand it to Sarah and Rhiann (Dick who is 2-0) for the way that they have been performing," said Pirates assistant coach Kristen Proffitt. "They have been tough and haven't let the weather affect them. I can't wait to see them pitch once it gets a little warmer."
"I was really comfortable going into the game knowing that the team would back me up with runs and make the plays," Grossman said. "Everything we have worked on as a team and individually is coming together. We just need to keep working as hard as we have been."
Grace Huff belted her second homer of the season while going 2-for-2 with 2 RBI, 2 walks and a stolen base. "I was going up there to make contact to get the run in," Huff said. " As soon as I hit it, it felt good off the bat and I was excited that it cleared the fence. I was happy to do my part to get a good team win."
Palatine's Kaitlyn Reed was 2-for-2 with 2 runs and a stolen base.
"My goal at the plate was to make solid contact, get on, and keep the momentum moving forward," Reed said. "It always feels good to help contribute to team."
Third baseman Maddie Craver and left fielder Brittany Padden helped spark the Pirates' defense with superb plays.
Barrington 10, Stevenson 2: The host Fillies improved to 7-0 as senior catcher Abbey Jacobsen belted her third homer of the season, a 2-run blast in Barrington's 6-run fifth inning. She ended up 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and a double.
Other multiple hitters for the Fillies were Kendall Peterson (2-for-3, double, 2 runs) and Tori Meyer (2-for-3, RBI, 1 run). Samantha Murphy also doubled for the Fillies, whose next game will be at 4:45 p.m. on Monday against visiting Hersey in a rematch of last year's MSL title game.
Senior pitcher Catherine McMahon raised her record to 2-0 by tossing a 3-hitter with a career-best 13 strikeouts, breaking her previous high of 12 on March 19 against Glenbrook North.