Elk Grove wins as Balzano’s streak ends

A most impressive softball streak ended Wednesday in Schaumburg.

While visiting Elk Grove was earning a 13-1 victory in five innings, Grenadiers second baseman Jessica Balzano flied out deep to center and walked twice in the Mid-Suburban League crossover.

That meant the Loyola-bound senior did not have a hit for the first time in 43 games, a streak that ranks among the top five all-time in IHSA history.

“I think it was remarkable what Jessica did,” said Grens coach Ken Grams. “And I give her credit. She walked twice in the middle of big innings for us (6 runs in the first and 7 in the third). She wasn’t trying to do any extra stuff to extend the streak.”

Junior ace Dani Goranson (9-1) earned the win for the Grens (9-1, 2-0) and now has given up 3 earned runs in 11 decisions.

The Grens jumped ahead in the first inning, taking advantage of 4 errors, 2 walks and a pair of 2-run singles by Krista Soesbe (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Becca Walz (2-for-2, 3 RBI, double).

Other top-hitting Grens were Goranson (2-for-4. double), and Devan Parkison, who belted a 3-run double in the third inning.

Rebecca Thompson and Courtney Raschk had the 2 hits for Schaumburg (5-2, 1-1).

Conant 11, Wheeling 1: Host Conant (10-1, 1-1) bounced back from its only loss of the season with a 2-hitter from senior Kailee Prasbig, who notched her first win of the season with 2 strikeouts.

Hilary O’Donnell (4-for-5), Miranda Cavin (2-for-3, 2 doubles) and Kim Jacobson (2-for-3, double) led the Cougars’ offense over Wheeling (2-4, 0-2).

Barrington 7, Prospect 4: Liz Owen belted a home run and Jordan Wekony was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and 2 doubles to help lead host Barrington (11-3, 2-0) in the MSL crossover.

Fillies senior ace Kiley Dolezal (9-1) had 6 strikeouts and no walks.

Sam Mangrum (2-for-4), Amy Graham (2-for-3), Cassie Poulos (2-for-3) and Nikki Surico (2-for-4) led the offense for Prospect (3-6, 0-2).

Mangrum threw the first three innings for Prospect and Hanna Lythberg went the three, striking out five with 1 hit and no runs.

Barrington broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the third when Kiersten Tinkoff led off with a walk and Owen belted her 2-run homer. Kristin Kuhn added a sacrifice fly for the 7-4 lead.

Palatine 2, Hersey 1: Palatine’s 2 runs in the bottom of the fourth were enough for senior left-hander Dani Boisvert (7-1), who struck out two while tossing a 5-hitter with no walks.

Lauren Logan (2-for-3, double) and Katie Scovic (2-for-3) were the top hitters for the host Pirates, who improved to 9-2 and 2-0 in the MSL West.

Hersey stands at 2-7 and 0-2 in the MSL East.

Fremd 15, Rolling Meadows 0 (5 innings): Junior Megan Hubbard (2-for-3, 4 RBI, 2 runs) and sophomore Michelle Mazur (2-for-2, 2 RBI) each belted their second homers of the season for host Fremd (11-0-1, 2-0) as sophomore Ashlynne Schwantz (6-0) threw a 1-hitter with 11 strikeouts.

Josie Suchecki had the only hit for Meadows (5-5, 0-2) with two outs in the top of the fourth inning.

Other top hitters for Fremd were Allie Gaeding (2-for-3, 2 runs) and Brittany Ciura (2-for-2, 2 RBI, double).

Maine West 6, Deerfield 1: Host Maine West (4-6, 1-1) evened its record in the Central Suburban North as Angela Cruz had an RBI double in the second inning.

Warriors sophomore ace Ariel Valles (3-5) threw a 3-hitter with 7 strikeouts.

York 7, Leyden 0: Amanda Moran (1-for-1, 2 walks), Bri Michels (1-for-3) and Jen Hall (1-for-3) were top hitters for host Leyden (8-2) in the West Suburban crossover.

Eagles pitcher Hannah Seymore (1-1) struck out four in five innings.