Grayslake Pride Defeats DuPage In Chicago Bandits Tourney

The Grayslake girls 14U softball team easily could have been overwhelmed by the game ahead of them. They were playing against a ranked team that had qualified for Nationals.

They played in the spacious new stadium of the women’s professional softball team, the Chicago Bandits, on the same field where star Jennie Finch played. But any jitters were quickly put to rest when the umpire yelled, “Play!”

Caitlyn Moran pitched for Grayslake during last weekend’s tournament and she brought the heat. Moran sat down the first six batters in order including three by strikeout. She also singled in her first at bat.

The Pride scored all of their eight runs in the bottom of the second inning, as the first 11 batters reached base. An RBI triple to left by Theresa Curtis brought in the first run.

Katie Strickland followed with an RBI bunt single, and Jamie Brew blasted an RBI double to left. After a walk, Jenna Kleinofen singled in another run. Maddie Terlap singled in another, and Brianna Dreschler singled yet another. Then Brittany Brown came through with a big two-run single.

In the top of the third, the Dawgs of DuPage connected three singles to score their first run. Two singles, a fielder’s choice and a groundout gave the Dawgs their last two scores as Moran mowed them down for the 8-3 victory.

Brown led the Pride with two hits and two RBIs. The Pride played excellent errorless defense and Moran threw a complete game.

The girls lost 2-1 on July 10 to a very good Park Ridge Pistols team whom they had beaten to win the Grayslake Tournament two weeks ago. Then, the Pride came back to defeat the Beach Park Thunder 2-1, when Moran ripped a bases-loaded single.

The Grayslake girls beat the Bordertown Bandits 6-3 on July 11. “We had solid pitching and timely hitting,” said head coach Steve Frusolone.

Grayslake was the No. 2 seed but lost to the Bordertown Bandits 8-4 in bracket play. “Our bats went silent in the middle innings, thus ending our tournament,” said Frusolone.

Offensive stars in the tournament were Moran, Dreschler, Brown, Curtis and Terlap.

“Outstanding defensive performances were turned in all tournament by Juliana Frusolone, Katie Strickland, Jamie Brew, Brianna Dreschler, Theresa Curtis, and Brittany Brown,” Frusolone said. “Key contributions also came from Danielle Celeslie, Lauren Tracy, Jenna Kleinofen and Sarah Patrzykont.”

Along with Frusolone, team coaches include J.R. Strickland, Ed Moran and Marty Terlap. The Pride is now 21-7-1 on the season.