Softball: Conant tops Glenbard East, earns shot at regional title

Less than a week after winning the Mid-Suburban League title, Conant's softball team advanced to another championship game, this one at 11 a.m. Saturday.

With a five-inning 17-2 win over No. 18-seeded Glenbard East on Tuesday, the No. 2 Cougars will meet the winner of today's game between No. 8 Bartlett and No. 10 Rolling Meadows for the championship of the Class 4A Bartlett softball regional.

"Everyone contributed in one way or another," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith, who has guided the Cougars to two straight regional crowns and five in 16 seasons. "It was nice team effort."

It was even a team effort on the mound as senior Sara Neuman went the first three innings, continuing her hitless streak of 13 innings, while sophomore Jac Carlucci threw final two innings.

The Cougars (24-5) immediately set the tone offensively as the first four batters all recorded extra-base hits - standup triple by Lauren Grzelak, standup RBI double by Jackie Birchfield, standup RBI triple by Sydney Correa and 2-run homer by Morgan Bihun (her seventh of the season) for a quick 4-0 lead.

The Cougars went on to score 7 runs on 6 hits, and finished the game with 16 hits.

Leading the way was junior right fielder Sam Gadomski with a 3-for-4 effort, including 2 runs.

"We just wanted to hit the ball hard and score as many runs as we could to win the game," Gadomski said.

Neuman (20-1) had plenty of runs to work with as the Cougars batted around the order the first two innings and led 13-0.

"Sara does great," Gadomski added. "We always feel safe when she is pitching. She's doing a great job and we're really proud of her."

Neuman put together nine straight perfect innings until a one-out walk to Jillian Strom.

Neuman also got into the offensive act with a RBI pinch hit single to center in the bottom of the third inning.

Gadomski had her second hit in that inning.

"Sam (Gadomski) is just a workhorse," Smith said. "She just does whatever is needed. She puts the ball in play, and she supports everyone. She is the steady-eddie of the team."

Senior shortstop Marissa West has been part of Glenbard East's team for four years and went out in style, with a 2-for-3 plate effort, including a sharp fly out to center in the second inning.

"It was her last game as a senior and she has been great all four years," said Rams coach Nikki Simpson. "She is a very special. Whatever you ask of her, she'll do."

She'll be doing her softball work at Kankakee Community College next spring.

"I'm really going to miss my teammates and coaches here," West said. "Conant is really good. They're really good hitters and just an all-around good team."

There were hits all around the Cougars' lineup, led by Grzelak (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs), Burchfield (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Correa (2-for-3, RBI) 3 runs), Bihun (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Makenna McCarthy (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 3 runs).

Juniors Carly Rossdeutcher and Sara Kate Pasbrig (RBI) also hit safely for the Cougars.

"They're (Conant) a great team," said Simpson, the former Glenbard South all-area outfielder and granddaughter of Cubs hall of famer Billy Williams. "Hands down, one of the best we faced this season."

The Rams (10-21) scored their final 2 runs of the season in the top of the fourth inning when West led off with her single to center.

After two were out, Kate Tadda reached on a dropped third strike.

Elisa Versetto Tyler drew a walk and West raced home on a wild pitch for the first run.

After a walk to Donibrooke Ross loaded the bases again, Sam Dooley was hit by a pitch, allowing Tadda to cross the plate for the second run.

"Like I always tell my girls, you've got to fight to the end," Simpson said. "You've got to keep playing your game, and they did."