Conant takes two behind Aaron's high-impact play

Conant caught itself a dream doubleheader on Saturday in Roselle.

Cougars sophomore receiver Dream Aaron was stellar behind the plate in Game 1 as the Cougars won 9-1 over Lake Park before taking the second contest 12-2 in 6 innings.

Aaron held her ground twice at the plate to make putouts after catching throws from her teammates. She also picked a runner off first and caught a runner stealing second.

"Dream played outstanding," said Cougars coach CathyAnn Smith, whose team is 3-0 heading into Monday's Mid-Suburban League opener with visiting Elk Grove at 4:45 p.m. "It was a very physical game at the plate for her with those two plays."

Aaron also caught a 7-hitter from winning pitcher Sara Neuman.

The sophomore struck out two and walked none for her second win of the season without a loss.

Neuman also belted a home run while teammate DeeDee Durr (2-for-3) belted a pair of homers.

Alissa Wachal (2-for-3) and Lauren Grzelak (2-for-4) each had doubles.

"And our outfield played phenemonal," Smith added.

Junior Kim Zaucha fired a 6-hitter in the second game, striking out two and walking none for her first win of the spring.

Zaucha also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run in the Cougars' 5-run second inning.

Sophomore teammate Kali Schumacher also homered in the second inning.

The Cougars' offense was also led by junior Elisa Ambrose (4-for-5, 2 doubles) Rachel O'Malley (3-for-5, double), junior Hailey Rothstein (2-for-3) and freshman Rachel Falbo (2-for-4).

Freshman Lauren Grzelak caught the game and threw out a runner stealing.

"It was a great day overall," Smith added. "Everyone played and we had good chemistry. Our bats were right on top of it."

Elk Grove 11, Resurrection 5: Senior shortstop Becca Maher belted her third homer of the season and added a double as the Grenadiers improved to 9-1 after the matinee contest in Chicago.

Maher is hitting better than .600.

"It's good to see her come up the plate," said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams, who notched his 800th career win 13 days ago. "She is hitting the ball hard and she's off to a great start."

Freshman pitcher Kylie Thomsen (1-0) picked up her first career win by throwing the final 4 innings (2 runs, 3 hits, 2 strikeouts and 1 walks) while sophomore Mary Hirschauer went the first 3 innings (2 runs, 7 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk).

Multiple hitters for the Grens were Maher (2-for-5), Marjorie Sloan (2-for-3, double), Alex Masnica (2-for-4, double) and junior outfielder Brianna Leach (2-for-4), who was making her first appearance of the season after sitting out with illness.

Fremd drops two: St. Charles East stopped the visiting Vikings 6-1 and 9-7.

The Vikings had 5 hits in Game 1, including a double from Tracy Welninski. Alyssa Garcia and Leigh Farina each stole a base.

In Game 2, Fremd (5-2) was led on offense by Julie Josten (4-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs), Abbi Iuorio (3-for-4, 1 run), Welninski (2-for-4, 1 run) and Garcia (2-for-3, double).

Schaumburg splits: Schaumburg (5-4) dropped the opener 7-1 at Glenbard North, then won the second game 10-6 behind winning pitcher Roxanne Kakareka (1-2).

Leading the Saxons' offense were Elaine Walker (3-for-5, RBI), Sarah Schwind (2-for-5, double), Shannon Felde (3-for-5, double, 2 RBI), Natalie Napier (2-for-4) and Jamie Kudjer (3-for-4, RBI).

Walker went 2-for-3 in Game 1 while teammate Paige Alt was 1-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Palatine splits: Playing at the Leyden Invitational, the Pirates (3-8) won 5-3 over Glenbrook North and dropped a 7-1 decision to Jacobs.

Dani Boisvert (2-4) picked up the win against the Spartans, tossing a 5-hitter with 3 strikeouts.

Grace Rohrwasser (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Katie Angelaccio (2-for-3, RBI) were top hitter for the Pirates who also received a double from Courtney English.

Against Jacobs, English went 3-for-3 while teammate Nora Walsh was 2-for-4.

St. Viator 12, Immaculate Conception 4: The Lions picked up their eighth win of the season under the lights at the Ballpark at Rosemont in a game that started at 9:30 p.m. Friday night.

It was worth the wait for the Lions (8-3), who scored 5 runs in the first inning.

The rally started when Cam Vanvalkenburg led off the game with an inside-the-park home run.

Krystal Harris singled and eventually scored.

Tess Kaiser drove in a run and Gina Mastrodomenico squeezed home the fourth before Olivia Michalik singled in the final run with for the first of her 2 RBI.

The Knights chipped away and threatened to take the lead in the fifth inning with two runners on base and no outs.

But winning pitcher Sam Hogan (6-2) retired the next three batters.

The Lions batted around for the second time in the sixth inning, scoring 7 runs.

Gina Mastrodomenico was the Lions' hitting MVP, collecting 2 RBI on a successful squeeze and a single, double, and triple.

"Gina seemed a little extra pumped up and it rubbed off on all the girls" said Lions Coach John Scotillo. "Sam (Hogan) didn't have her best stuff, but grinders find a way and she shut them down when she had to."