Prospect 5, Barrington 1

Pitcher Sheri Weidner and catcher Cyndi Becker are a new battery at Prospect this year and have the softball team all charged up.

For the first time since 1991, the Knights defeated five-time defending Mid-Suburban League champion Barrington 5-1 Wednesday in Mount Prospect as Weidner (5-2) threw a 6-hitter with 1 strikeout and 3 walks.

Prospect's 4 runs in the third inning were more than the two teams scored in two games last spring when Barrington won both 1-0.

"Oh my God, this was a huge win," said Knights senior first baseman Mary Kate Ward, whose sixth-inning solo homer over the left field fence provided their final run. "But in our minds, it's just another conference game. We know we've got a long ways to go."

It was a long time ago when Prospect (5-2, 2-0) last beat Barrington (10-2, 1-1) -- April 8, 1991 to be exact. Barrington coach Perry Peterson was a volunteer assistant in the Knights' dugout then.

As the Fillies coach, Peterson is now 19-1 against his alma mater.

Prospect's big rally started with Weidner's one-out single to center. After Jessica King walked, Amy Varner ripped an RBI double off the left field wall off a 1-0 lead. A perfect bunt single by Becker brought home King with the second run.

Freshman Nikki Surico's groundout brought home Varner before cleanup hitter and sophomore Amanda Mlikan singled down the left-field line to score Becker with two outs for the 4-0 lead.

Jessica McGurn's bases-loaded single to left with two outs in the sixth drove in Colleen Shandley for Barrington's only run.

"Sheri did a great job," said Prospect coach Brenda Martin. "She was nervous but ready to go and excited for the challenge. Cyndi Becker has been like a gift (transfer from Hersey). We are so lucky to have her."

Elk Grove 7, Schaumburg 1: Elk Grove (9-1, 2-0) scored 7 runs after two were out in the bottom of the fifth.

It all started when Nikki Goranson reached on an error and Olivia Roback belted a 2-run homer to left.

After back-to-back singles by Amber Hane and Jamie Campus, freshman Jessica Balzano clubbed a 2-run triple to right-center. Two of more errors led to runs and Stephanie Dolce collected an RBI double.

Sarah McGinn homered for the Saxons (5-1, 1-1).

Krystina Leazer (3-1) struck out five and walked two to get the win over Missy Anderson (5-1), who struck out six.

Palatine 6, Hersey 4: Chrissy Roto threw a 7-hitter with 7 strikeouts for Palatine (2-3, 1-1) which was led by Bre Quaritsch (3-for-3, double), Nikki Linares (2-for-4), Caitlin Carpenter (2-for-3), Joanne Jablonski (3-for-4, double), Steph Roto (2-for-4) and Rebecca Griffin (2-for-4, double).

Danielle Gore had 2 doubles for Hersey (0-11, 0-2) while teammates Alyssa Kiefer had a home run and Jessie Harris a triple.

Fremd 18, Meadows 3: Kristine Werling (3-for-5, 2 runs, RBI), Stacey Stutzman (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI, walk, double), Alexa Cinquegrani (2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI), Kelly Voigt (2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Jessica Tackett (2-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 runs) and Marybeth Wesoloski (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 1 run) led the offense for Fremd (6-0, 2-0).

Sophomore Lena Brottman (5-0) fired a 5-hitter with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks. Freshman Kelly Keyzer tripled for Meadows (1-3, 1-1).

Conant 8, Wheeling 5: Christina Shelfo (2-for-4, 2 runs), Amberly Ward (2-for-4, 2 runs, double, 3 RBI) and Nicole Gross (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run) led the Cougars (3-3, 1-1) behind winning pitcher Georgie Kutramanes.

Kara Giordano (3-for-3), Annemarie Speizia (2-for-4, 3 runs), Janelle Schroeder (2-for-4, RBI) and Tori Menelle (2-for-3, double, RBI) paced the Wildcats (0-3, 0-2).

BG 2, Hoffman Estates 0:ΠFreshman Maria Dax (1-3) earned her first varsity win with a 2-hitter and 6 strikeouts

The Bison (3-4, 1-1) scored both runs in the fourth inning on bases-loaded two-out walks to Andrea DiPrima and Stephanie Rudolfi which brought home Mallory Smith and Katie Lee.

Colleen Roberts was 2-for-3 for Hoffman (0-6, 0-2).