Hedstrom pitches Palatine to victory

Palatine senior ace Megan Hedstrom threw a 4-hitter with 4 strikeouts as the Pirates edged host Prospect 3-2 in the Mid-Suburban League third-place crossover on Wednesday.

Palatine (17-11) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Jamie Haze (2-for-4, RBI) singled to score Lauren Logan.

The Knights (8-19) tied the game in the bottom of the first when Rachel Trebswether led off with a triple to right center and scored on Michele Molini’s one-out single to right.

The Pirates added 2 runs in the top of the third as Hedstrom (2-for-4) singled with one out and scored on an outfield throwing error on Jamie Haze’s second single. Haze later scored on an infield error to make the score 3-1.

Prospect closed to within 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth on Ally Schuldt’s towering home run to right-center.

The Knights threatened again in the bottom of the fifth when they had runners on second and third with one out but were unable to score against Hedstrom (13-11).

Prospect junior Michelle Korf came on in relief of sophomore Casey Lenski (4-1) in the fifth inning and pitched 3 scoreless innings while facing 11 batters (2 errors and hits batsman) without giving up a hit.

“It was great to get a couple of big extra-base hits today, but we really needed a few more singles,” said Prospect coach Jim Adair. “This game had a lot of crazy action, and either team could have opened the game wide open, but I have to give credit to all of the pitchers (Hedstrom, Lenski, and Korf). They did a great job”

Schaumburg 10, Hersey 0 (6 inn.): Senior Hannah Kerr (8-2) earned the win and had a double for the visiting Saxons (18-8), who were led on offense by Paige Alt (3-for-3, RBI), Christina Candotti (3-for-3, home run, RBI), Shannon Felde (3-for-4, double, home run, 3 RBI) and Kelly Poplar (2-for-4).

Dana Giannelli (RBI), Carly Brossard and Roxanne Kakareka (2 RBI) also had hits for the Saxons.

Kelsey Panfil and Becca Derka each had hits for Hersey (5-20).

Conant 7, Rolling Meadows 0: Sophomore Kim Zaucha (7-2) pitched 5 innings and struck out two to earn the win for visiting Conant (15-9), which was led on offense by Miranda Cavin (2-for-4, double), Rachel O’Malley (3-for-3) and Allison Naujokas (2-for-3).

Jenny Watson, Lane Winkler and Chloe Prodanovic each had hits for Meadows (17-14).

Wheeling 3, Hoffman Estates 2: Missouri-St Louis bound Sara Kern belted a triple and came home on an error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the host Wildcats (8-16) the dramatic win.

Junior Katie Quagliano edged freshman Tracy Osimowicz in the pitcher’s duel.

Freshman Jordyn Fera had a triple for the Hawks (3-22).

Christian Liberty 16, Luther North 2 (5 inn.): The Chargers won the semifinal of the Class 1A Westminster Christian regional behind pitcher Megan Sullivan, who also went 2-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBI.

Senior Beth Cunningham was 4-for-4 with 3 doubles, 9 RBI and 2 runs while sophomore Jenn West went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI and 1 run.

Benet Academy 3, St. Viator 1: The only run for host St. Viator (6-23) came in the second when Ally Rinka drove home Taylor Noll, who had doubled.

St. Viator’s defense finished strong with 3 doubles plays.