Cetkovic's slam sparks Elk Grove

Kristen Cetkovic told her mother Michelle she couldn't work a job over spring break because she is a three-sport athlete.

So her mother smiled and told the honors student to "play like a three-sport athlete and start hitting the ball".

Michelle said she'd even pay Kristen $5 for every homer she hit for her Elk Grove softball team.

Well, Kristen may have deserved a little extra Saturday. Her sixth homer of the season was a grand slam as Elk Grove defeated visiting Antioch 7-0 in a nonconference contest.

"It seems to have worked," Michelle joked about the "pay for play" bargaining. "Except in her favor."

Things have leaned in Elk Grove's favor most of the season, thanks in part to the school-record 30 home runs and fine pitching from senior Stephanie Maday (10-1) and sophomore Dani Goranson (16-1).

Maday (10-1) gave up 1 hit in the first 4 innings Saturday to earn the win, while Goranson had 3 strikeouts in the final 3 innings.

The Grens (26-2) ended a 14-game winning streak by Antioch (19-5), which is leading the North Suburban Prairie with an 8-0 mark.

Elk Grove scored twice in the third inning on a RBI single by sophomore Devan Parkison (2-for-4, 1 run) and a walk to Maday (2-for-2) with the bases loaded.

Junior Katie Keegan, playing in only her second varsity game, belted her first career homer - over the right-field fence to lead off the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead.

Cetkovic (4 RBI) blasted her grand slam to right field with no outs in the fifth inning for the 7-0 lead.

"Kristen's homer kind of broke the game open," said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams, whose team is the Mid-Suburban League East champion for the 10th time in 11 years.

Cetkovic, Olivia Roback and Rebecca Walz each have 6 homers to lead the Grens' long ball parade.

Conant 6, Hoffman Estates 0: Host Conant (19-6, 7-5) received a 3-hitter from sophomore Briana Cavin with 8 strikeouts and was led on offense by Allie Bauch (3-for-3, triple, 2 stolen bases, walk), Miranda Cavin (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Lauren Wozniak (2-for-2, 2 RBI).

Emily Fett and Kelsey Pellus had doubles for the Hawks (3-17, 2-10).

Fremd, Bartlett split: Fremd (22-3) dropped the opener 1-0 and then edged the Hawks 7-6 in Game 2 of their nonconference doubleheader.

The games were moved to Palatine, but the Hawks were the home team.

Allie Gaeding, Jenny Schneider and Caitlin Patenaude had hits for Fremd in the opener as junior Stacey Hnytka (0-1) took the loss.

Sophomore Rachel Doering (3-0) got the win in Game 2 with 6 strikeouts and 1 earned run allowed.

Top hitters for Fremd were Kristine Werling (3-for-5), Gaeding (2-for-3, walk, run), Alexa Cinquegrani (2-for-3, 2 doubles) and Emily Janes (2-for-3, double).

Maine West drops two: Visiting Geneva swept the nonconference twin bill 11-0 and 8-4 in Des Plaines.

In Game 1, sophomore Alyssa Bojarski went 2-for-3 for the Warriors.

Bojarski was on fire again in Game 2, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI for the Warriors (11-16).

Prospect falls twice: Visiting Glenbrook North won a pair of nonconference games by scores of 5-3 and 8-7 in nine innings.

In Game 1, sophomore Hanna Lythberg (3-8) struck out one and allowed only 3 hits.

Amanda Mlikan drew 2 walks while Allison Malewig was 2-for-3.

In Game 2, Prospect junior Sam Mangrum (7-7) struck out four and walked two.

Knights junior Nicole Naranjo tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a one-out home run.

Mary Styzek was 2-for-5 with a double and 3 RBI).

Lythberg was 2-for-5 and senior Jen Forssander had a RBI double to help start a 5-run rally in the second inning for Prospect (10-15).