Softball: Quick start propels Buffalo Grove past Rolling Meadows

Buffalo Grove senior Sam Hansen is still looking to play softball in college.

Things were sure looking up for Hansen and the Bison on Friday.

In her second at-bat, Hansen had the Bison fans looking high into the sky when she launched her second home run of the season over the right field fence.

Hansen's blast to lead off the bottom of the third inning gave Buffalo Grove a 7-0 lead and it went on to post a 9-1 Mid-Suburban East triumph over visiting Rolling Meadows.

Hansen (2-for-3) also singled in the sixth inning, giving her two of the Bison's 11 hits as they avenged an earlier 10-0 five-inning loss at Rolling Meadows.

"I think the difference from that first game is that everyone was super confident at the plate this time," said Hansen, who served as the designated player. "The top of the order and the bottom was hitting."

At the very top was junior Megan Fontanetta, who executed her leadoff role perfectly going 3-for-4 with 1 run.

Freshman Angelina Craig had a big day, going 3-for-4 with a 2-run homer to center and 5 RBI while also sparkling at shortstop with two impressive plays for a putout and assist to first baseman Bailey Williams in the top of the seventh.

Hannah Young (2-for-3) had a double right before Craig's homer and Kimberly Stuerke (2-for-3) also had multiple hits for BG (9-12, 6-9) which was coming off tough 9-8 loss at Schaumburg.

"We played solid defense and everyone wanted this game," Hansen added. "We should have won a few of our last games so we were hungry."

Sophomore Kylie Mainville (4-7) took care of things on the mound, scattering 8 hits and striking out three.

"It was just keeping the drop ball really low and in the zone," she said. "We were just really confident, going out there knowing we could do it and trusting ourselves. Once we started scoring (9 runs in the first three innings) that helps a lot and it's really a fun game after that."

"We've been telling Kylie all season to keep the ball down and give us a chance to be in the game," said Bison coach Starr Dorsey. "And she did just that. She kept it in the park for most part and we had a good day."

Leading the offense for Meadows (15-10, 7-7) were Sam Allen (2-for-4) and Kendra Herring (2-for-4). Teammates Sara Benner (2B), Caroline Slowik (1-for-2), Sam Benner and Emily Schmidt (1-for-2) also hit safely.

Herring threw the final 3⅔ innings for Meadows, giving up no runs and 3 hits.

"I thought Kendra came in and did a nice job," said Meadows coach Tony Wolanski. "Give BG credit. They hit the ball and they made very good plays in the field. And nothing was going right for us today."

Also hitting safely for BG was Williams, who singled in the Bison's 4-run second inning. Elle Christou had an RBI groundout and Megan Mitsunaga reached base three times.

"We're definitely hitting the ball the best we have all season," Dorsey said. "And today we were clicking defensively on all cylinders.

"We had six errors the last time we played them. We cleaned that up a lot and the girls were fired up after giving away a game the day before. But they came back and fought hard so it was good to get this one.

"We're right where we want to be heading into next week and the regional the week after that."