Starr power: Elk Grove outshines Conant

Everyone knows Dani Goranson has been a four-year star for Elk Grove’s standout softball program.

But there’s another Starr in the Grens lineup.

Senior right fielder Andrea Starr, that is. She was one major reason Elk Grove won the Class 4A Barrington sectional title Saturday and advanced to the Elite Eight for the second time in three years.

The Grenadiers were just two outs away from turning in their uniforms when Starr turned on a fastball and sent it over the right-center field fence to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh.

One inning later, catcher Devan Parkison belted her fourth homer of the season and third in three games, to dead center field, giving the Grens a dramatic 4-3 victory in eight innings over top-seeded Conant (33-4).

No. 2 Elk Grove (30-8) advances to Monday’s supersectional at Judson University in Elgin and will face Cary-Grove sectional champ Jacobs (25-14) at approximately 7 p.m.

The game will follow a 4:30 p.m. Class 3A supersectional between Glenbard South and Elmwood Park.

“I just took a really deep breath,” Starr said of her clutch homer. “I wasn’t hitting that well so I just had to relax. I wasn’t trying for a homer. I just wanted a hit.”

Winning pitcher Goranson (25-7) also joined the Grens’ home run parade, hitting a 2-run shot to center for her tenth homer of the season in the top of the third inning for a 2-1 lead.

That blast came just after Goranson wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the second.

Junior Sarah Thompson (2-for-4, 2 doubles) opened the inning with a double followed by a walk to Telly Hunter and bunt by Meghan Reff (2-for-4, RBI). But Goranson used a strikeout, fly out to center fielder Elisa Payne and groundout to second baseman Becca Maher to escape.

“I thought that was a big key when we got out of that inning with no runs, and then Dani hits the home run to start the next inning,” said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams. “That was kind of a turnaround in the game.”

Conant managed to get its first batter on base in each of the first seven innings.

“I complimented the girls about the way they got out of a lot of difficult situations,” Grams said. “But between Dani’s pitching and the defensive plays we made, we were able to escape with minimal or no damage.”

The Mid-Suburban League champs scored in the first when junior catcher Miranda Cavin belted a two-out RBI double to right-center to score senior Allie Bauch (2-for-4).

The Cougars tied the game in the bottom of the third when sophomore Rachel O’Malley led off with solo homer to right-center.

Conant regained the lead at 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth when Thompson led off with her second double and came home on Reff’s one-out double, also to left field.

But Starr and Parkison delivered the big home runs in the next two innings to send the Grens to their third Elite Eight appearance under Grams in 32 seasons.

“I think it’s the speed that comes off Bri’s pitches that get the ball to accelerate off the bat,” said Parkison, who also hit the game-winning home run against Fremd less than 24 hours earlier in Friday’s semifinal win. “The past few games we have been down, but I feel that just gives us more energy to come back.

“I felt guilty about not making a catch (of a pop foul) earlier in the game so I’m glad I was able to help us get the win.”

The Grens lost twice to Conant during the regular season (6-4 and 5-3 in MSL championship game).

“We’re still doing it for Mr. Grams,” Goranson said of the Grens’ hall of fame coach who has 776 career wins. “We were never really worried, just more excited. This game was bigger to us than the conference championship. Now we’ve made it to the Elite Eight. One more and we’re there (East Peoria).”

Goranson threw a 9-hitter with 8 strikeouts, five in the last two innings.

Cavin (30-3), the winningest pitcher in Conant history, allowed 7 hits and struck out five.

“It was an awesome season,” said Conant assistant Kelly Wolff. “It’s a great group of girls and I’ll never forget the memories. And good luck to Elk Grove.”

“I’ve got to give kudos to Sarah Thompson,” said Cougars head coach CathyAnn Smith. “She led us all season with her enthusiasm. And Allie Bauch’s heart and passion is every coaches’ dream. It’s too bad we couldn’t finish but that’s how the game goes.”