Softball: Elk Grove powers past Prospect; Benner sets Meadows' HR mark
Elk Grove's softball team flexed its muscles on Monday at Prospect High School.
The Grenadiers belted 5 homers, including back-to-back-to-back by sophomore Katia Pendowski, freshman A. J. Trausch and junior Jaimie Klicka in the top of the seventh inning to post an 11-4 Mid-Suburban East triumph.
Pendowski (3-for-4) finished with 2 homers, giving her six for the season.
Freshman Morgan Leach (2-for-4, double) also hit one out of the park. Klicka went 2-for 4 for the Grens (6-6, 2-2).
Sophomore Lauren Clausen (3-1) struck as 12 as the winning pitcher.
Alex Kanter had a double fro Prospect (10-3, 3-2) which was led on offense by Jackie Orel (2-for-4) and Kaitlyn Pancini (2-for-3).
Starting pitcher Claire Doherty struck out eight for Prospect while Emalee Depa had 3 strikeouts in the seventh.
Rolling Meadows 14, Buffalo Grove 1 (5 inn.): Junior Sara Benner's 3-run blast over the fence in the top of the first inning gave her school's all-time lead for homers with 17.
"Sara works very hard," said Mustangs coach Tony Wolanski, whose team did not commit an error. "I am very happy for her success."
Benner (2-for-3, 3 RBI) joined teammates Stephanie Thompson (2-for-4), Emily Schmidt (3-for-4) Mallory King (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Kendra Herring (2-for-2, 2 RBI, double) as multiple hitters. Elise Kowalski earned the win for visiting Meadows (5-8, 2-3).
Sophomore Megan Fontanetta had a homer and double for BG (2-8, 0-4) while senior Olivia Morini doubled.
Fremd 16, Schaumburg 3 (5 inn.): Senior Jess Mazur belted the 24th homer of her career and went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI as the visiting Vikings improved to 8-4 and 3-2 in the MSL West.
Other multiple hitters for Fremd were Grace Stevens (3-for-4, 3 RBI), and Anna Freveletti (2-for-2, triple, RBI). Nikki Kehoe (1-for-3, 4 RBI), Hailey Hazlett (1-for-4, 2 RBI) and Lexi D'Ambrosio (1-for-4, RBI) also had hits for the Vikings. Hannah Ban (1-2) earned the win.
Rachel Kissamis led the Saxons (0-9, 0-3) by going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Other Saxons with hits were Janalee Lyke, Tiffani Rudnick (2 RBI), Tatiana Cooper, Sydney Sturino and Ashleigh Feld (double).
Hersey 12, Wheeling 6: Junior Chloe Gordon (3-for-3, 2 RBI) and senior Asia Luboyeski (2-for-4, 2 RBI, double) were multiple hitters for visiting Hersey (8-2, 3-1) which also received a double from Brianna Luciano. Sarah Bailitz struck out 11 as the winning pitcher in the MSL East win.
Wheeling (0-7, 0-5) was led on offense by Nikki Ferraro (2-for-4) and Peyton LaCaeyse (2-for-4, double). Sophia Stanke had 3 RBI.
Conant 16, Hoffman Estates 6 (5 inn.): Jackie Burchfield belted a home run and went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI and 3 runs for Conant (8-4, 4-1) in the MSL West win. Other multiple hitters for the visiting Cougars were Makenna McCarthy (2-for-3, 3 runs), Delaney Szwed (2-for-3, 3 runs), Sydney Correa (3-fo-r4, 3 RBI), Alexa Nallen (3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and Morgan Long (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 run).
Freshman Julia Flaishaker earned the win, throwing a 7-hitter with 2 strikeouts.
Mary Bean went 3-for-3 with a triple and 2 runs for Hoffman (3-6-1, 2-2) while teammate Giselle Velazquez belted a homer.
Vernon Hills 10, Maine West 1: Maine West (7-7) had hits from Gabby Demma (double) Allsion Pearson (double), Bridget Christiansen and Jessica Steingard, who struck out eight in the CSL North game.