Hilltoppers stun Elk Grove on solo shot

Ashley Steinhilber's solo home run in the top of the seventh inning was all Glenbard West needed to upset Elk Grove 1-0 Saturday in the Class 4A Addison Trail Regional championship.

"We got some revenge on them after they beat us 3-2 in the regional championship last year,'' Steinhilber said. "We knew from our coach that the higher seeded team is always under pressure to perform. So we just came out and played.”

Elk Grove (32-4) stranded six runners, including runners on second and third in the final inning but couldn't get anyone across. Glenbard West (22-14) stranded three runners before Steinhilber’s heroics.

"All I was trying to do was get a base hit,'' Steinhilber said. "We had been watching her (Elk Grove pitcher Stephanie Maday) and timing her and eventually we caught up with her. I was just surprised it went out.''

Cassie Goggin and Taylor Steinhilber combined to strike out six and gave up three hits for the Hilltoppers. Steinhilber (8-5) came in in the fifth inning and got the win.

"For a second year coach this is a big win for us and we worked hard for it. It's always hard for a highly ranked team to perform to expectations,''Glenbard West coach Mary McGrane said. "I'm a little embarrassed because (Elk Grove coach) Ken Grams is one of the best in the game. I'm happy for our team but he's still one of the best.''

Maday struck out six and gave up two hits. She finished with a 30-3 record.