THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Grens Claim MSL-East Title
The Elk Grove girls softball team officially captured the Mid-Suburban League East title last Friday as their win over Hersey, combined with a Prospect loss, clinched the division.
The Grens shutout Hersey 4-0 Friday behind Stephanie Maday's 2-hitter and advanced to the MSL championship game tomorrow (Thursday).
Friday, Elk Grove scored twice in the fifth and sixth to break a scoreless tie. Stephanie Dolce and Kayla Mahoney knocked in runs in the fifth while Jessica Balzano and Amanda Mertes drove in runs in the sixth.
Seven Grenadiers had multiple hits on the day while Maday only allowed two infield singles. The win improved Elk Grove to 26-4 overall, 17-3 in the MSL.
Prospect, meanwhile, fell in heartbreaking fashion to Rolling Meadow 5-4 in 14 innings.
Mustang Angela Mahanna jacked a 2-run home run in top of the 14th for the win. Prospect's Sheri Weidner hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning but Meadows pitcher Carissa Stewart held the lead and the win.
Mary Kate Ward also hit a home run for Prospect that tied the game in the bottom of the 13th. Maddy Urban led the Mustangs, going 5-for-7 in the marathon game.
The loss dropped Prospect to 10-5 in the conference and allowed Elk Grove a shot at the conference title.
On Saturday, the Grens continued to roll as they swept a doubleheader with Andrew without giving up a run, 6-0 and 16-0.
Krystina Leazer threw a 1-hit shutout and struck out seven in game one while Maday almost had a perfect game before allowing one hit in the bottom of the fifth.
They followed that up with much of the same Monday as the Grens shutout yet another opponent, this time Wheeling, 3-0. Jamie Campus had three hits, Jessica Balzano two and Amber Hane hit a solo home run as Krystina Leazer gave up just one hit in four innings of work.
Prospect bounced back with an 11-9 win over Buffalo Grove Monday behind Sheri Weidner's eight strike out performance. Paige O'Neil, Cyndi Becker and Mary Kate Ward all had big hits for the Knights while Andrea DiPrima and Stephanie Rudolfi each hit 3-run bombs for the Bison.
Buffalo Grove knocked off Wheeling 7-1 Friday as K.C. Dunne, Mallory Smith, Andrea DiPrima and Katie Lee all collected two hits for the Bison.
Annemarie Spiezia was 2-for-4 for Wheeling.
Both DiPrima and Wheeling's Carly Speidel struck out ten on the mound.
Wheeling also swept a doubleheader with Highland Park Saturday, 4-0 and 8-5.
Seven 'Cats had hits in game one while Spiezia and Tori Menelle had three hits apiece in game two. Speidel got the game one win with Menelle taking game two.
Conant fell 7-0 to Fremd as only Paige Ward and Georgia Kutramanes recorded hits for the Cougars. Conant came back strong Monday, beating Schaumburg 9-2 behind Kailee Pasbrig's 6-hitter. Amberly Ward had three hits while Paige Ward and Nicole Gross added two each for the Cougars.
Rolling Meadows split its doubleheader with Streamwood Saturday, losing 6-4 in game one but rebounding with a 19-8 win in game two.
They won again Monday, knocking off Hersey, 4-2. Carissa Stewart three a 5-hitter and Caitlin Adair went 2-for-3 to lead the Mustangs, who finished at 8-8 in the East.