Conant keeps Elk Grove in check, claim MSL

Updated: May 19, 2011 8:14PM

Conant’s Bri Cavin kept No. 1 Elk Grove in check while her teammates went yard twice as the Cougars bounced the Grenediers 5-1 Thursday at the Mid-Suburban League championship game at Elk Grove.

Cavin fanned eight and kept Elk Grove (27-4) off balance allowing just four hits as Conant (26-2) avenged a 6-2 loss to Elk Grove back in April. It was Conant’s first MSL softball title since 1976.

“There was no pressure on us,” said Cavin, who is 21-2. “Especially with Hilary’s (O’Donnell) homer. With some runs it made it easier on me

O’Donnell’s homer was one of 12 hits off of Elk Grove ace Dani Goranson (24-4). Seven of those hits went for extra bases.

“Our hitting has been down the past few games,” Conant coach CathyAnn Smith said. “The girls said they needed to bring it today and they did.”

Cavin got all the hits and runs she needed in the Cougars first at bat when they strung together three consecutive hits.

O’Donnell had a 2-2 count on Goranson when she fouled off four consecutive pitches. She then delivered a 200-foot blast to center, the first of her career, to make it 1-0.

“It was amazing,” said O’Donnell, who was 3-for-4 and also had a double.

“I was just looking to stay in there and make contact. It was a solid hit.”

Allie Bauch followed O’Donnell with a double off the left-field fence. She then scored on a single by Miranda Cavin (2-for-4).

Elk Grove (26-4) had their chance to get back in the game in the fifth.

The Grenediers closed to 2-1 on Devan Parkison’s double and had runners on second and third with two outs. Instead of pitching around Goranson, who is hitting over .500, with a 3-0 count, Briana Cavin went after her and got her to pop to short on. 3-2 pitch to end the threat.

“I have been playing against her for a long time,” Bri Cavin said. “I knew what to throw to her to get her out.”

Conant put the game away in the 6th. Sarah Thompson reached on an infield single with two out. Paige Ward (2-for-3) then followed with a two-run blast to right. Consecutive doubles by Rachel O’Malley and Kailee Pasbrig made it 5-1.

“It is very exciting for the girls,” Smith said.

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