Softball: Hersey a winner on Senior Day

With her five seniors playing all seven innings on Senior Day, Hersey softball coach Molly Freeman watched her Huskies prevail 5-4 over visiting Maine South on Saturday morning in Arlington Heights.

The Mid-Suburban East tri-champions closed out their regular season with a 21-6 record, giving them 45 wins in back-to-back seasons with the state tournament still ahead.

"It was a great day," said Freeman, whose honored seniors were Gabby Samperi (third base), Sammy Pracko (catcher), Asia Luboyeski (right field), Jodi Hermann (shortstop) and Hannah Graff (second base). "The girls have done a great job. I couldn't ask anything more of them. They love being together. They love playing the game and getting the job done."

Junior Brianna Luciano (11-5) got the job done on the mound, striking out 13, one shy of her career high 14 set against Elk Grove earlier this spring.

Leading the Huskies' offense on Saturday were Makayla Tsagalis (2-for-4, double), Graff (2-for-4, double), Luciano (2-for-4, double) and Sarah Bailitz (3-for-4), who belted her tenth home run of the season.

Naperville Central 3, Elk Grove 1: Mid-Suburban League East tri-champion Elk Grove (15-13) broke on top 1-0 before falling at the Varsity Jamboree at the Bandits Stadium in Rosemont.

The Grenadiers gained the 1-0 advantage on freshman Morgan Leach's inside-the-park home run in the top of the third. inning. The Grens' other 2 hits were a double by Jaimie Klicka and single by A.J. Trausch.

Sophomore Lauren Clausen (10-6) went all seven innings, tossing a 6-hitter with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Highland Park 7, Wheeling 3: Nikki Ferraro (2-for-4, RBI) and Sophia Stanke (2-for-3, triple, double, 1 run) were multiple hitters for the host Wildcats (0-21) in their final regular-season game. Dakato Medrano threw a 5-hitter for Wheeling and struck out three.