THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
Grens Stopped By 'Perfect' Performance
Sometimes even the best teams just run into a pitcher having their day.
That happened to Elk Grove Wednesday as the Grens fell 2-0 to Fremd with Viking sophomore Lena Brottman throwing a perfect game.
The Grens just couldn't get to Brottman as they fell to 9-2 in the MSL-East, still two games ahead of Prospect for first.
Elk Grove starter Stephanie Maday was also outstanding, striking out 11 and only allowing 2-hits but one was a solo home run and that was all Fremd would need.
The Grens can remain calm as their Tuesday win, combined with Prospect losing on Wednesday, keeps their two-game lead intact.
The Grens won easily Tuesday in an 11-0 blowout over Hoffman Estates. Nikki Goranson was 2-for-3 to lead a strong Gren attack while Stephanie Maday and Krystina Leazer combined for the pitching shutout.
Prospect had a chance to pull within one game of Elk Grove Wednesday but fell to Palatine, 3-0.
Amy Varner and Paige O'Neil each had two hits for Prospect but the offense couldn't manage to drive the runs in.
Prospect earned a conference win on Tuesday with a 5-2 triumph over Conant. Amy Varner came through with the big hit as her 2-run triple broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh. Varner, Cyndi Becker, Paige O'Neil and Nikki Surico all had two hits on the day as Sheri Weidner earned the win with ten strikeouts and no walks.
The Knights trail by two games for the division lead but they can quickly make up a game Monday when these two teams meet. If they win they would then have to hope for another Elk Grove slip up for a chance at the title.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Hersey and Rolling Meadows both fell to MSL-West opponents.
Hersey fell to Schaumburg 4-1, dropping to 3-7 in the MSL.
Meadows was shutout by power Barrington and are now 4-6 in conference. Maryclare Loughery doubled for the Mustangs.
Both teams responded on Wednesday with wins, however.
Hersey topped Conant 3-1 behind a strong Kristy Johnson start. Maggie Tunney led the offense with a big home run to lead the Huskies.
Meadows won in exciting fashion as Maryclare Loughery drove in the game-winning run.