Goranson, Elk Grove tame Bison

Updated: April 25, 2011 6:24AM

Dani Goranson is about as modest off the field as she is electrifying on it.

"I could have done better," she said.

The Elk Grove junior star threw a two-hitter with eight strikeouts and helped lead a fifth-inning offensive explosion to power the top-ranked and host Grenadiers to the 10-0 victory over Buffalo Grove in Mid-Suburban East play Wednesday.

Goranson struck out six of the first seven hitters she faced in running her record to 10-1. She overpowered Buffalo Grove with fastballs and caught them off-guard with change-ups and off-speed pitches.

After encountering some minor difficulties in the second and third innings by allowing Bison base runners to reach third with two outs, she retired the final seven batters.

She furthered her own and the team's mystique. "Being ranked No. 1 is a big deal and it puts a lot of pressure on you, but that's OK with us because I think we're handling it pretty well, as long as we don't get big heads," Goranson said.

"We played a team last week, and they said they came here expecting to lose. That's pretty big advantage when you have the team beat before you even play the game."

The Michigan State recruit is virtually impossible to hit in ideal conditions. Facing her in a bitter cold and windy afternoon with a sludge-like infield that felt like quicksand, Buffalo Grove faced a difficult task.

Goranson (2-for-3, walk) also sparked the offensive attack. Her sharp single into right field in the third inning set up the Grenadiers' first run. After Goranson was replaced by freshman courtesy runner Becca Maher, Elk Grove (11-1, 3-0) scored on a base hit up the middle by senior right fielder Kristen Cetkovic.

After a Buffalo Grove throwing error pushed across a second run in the fourth inning, the Grenadiers' offense exploded in the bottom of the fifth. They sent 11 hitters to the plate, rapping out eight hits in the eight-run explosion.

Elk Grove pounded out 14 hits.

Sophomore centerfielder Elisa Payne (1-for-3), the team's ninth hitter, smashed a two-run single. Junior shortstop Krista Soesbe and junior first baseman Becca Walz clubbed back to back doubles to fuel the rout. Junior catcher Devan Parkison added a run-scoring single. Junior third baseman Megan Keegan ended the game with an RBI-single.

A game after having her 43-game hitting streak snapped, Elk Grove star second baseman Jessica Balzano collected three hits for the Grenadiers. The Grenadiers are 7-0 since Balzano returned to the line up after missing the first four games because of medical complications. Elk Grove has won 11 straight since opening the season with a loss to Minooka.

"It's great having her back," Goranson said. "Everybody is so confident when she's in the line up."

Shortstop KC Dunne and designated hitter Jessie Lazzara collected singles for the Bison (6-5, 1-2).

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