Elk Grove extended their losing streak to four on Monday, dropping them down to 7-25. They came up short against the Hoffman Estates Hawks, falling 14-5. The Grenadiers were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Hawks earlier this season, when they won 19-7.
Elk Grove saw eight different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Isaac Santowski, who went 3-for-5 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Another was Cooper Casterton, who got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases and one RBI.
As for Hoffman Estates, they pushed their record up to 10-22 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.0 runs over those games.
On Hoffman Estates' side, Derek Conjardi made a splash no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Conjardi has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs and one RBI. That's the most runs he has posted since back in March.
In other batting news, Tyler Dillon and Luis Tobella did most of the damage at the plate: Dillon went 2-for-4 with one home run, six RBI, and two runs, while Tobella went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double. Tobella has become a key player for Hoffman Estates: the team is 3-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 7-21 otherwise. Mason Walker was another key player, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Elk Grove does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Hoffman Estates, they will be playing at home against Libertyville at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The Hawks' pitchers better be ready for this one: the Wildcats have averaged an impressive 7.6 runs per game this season.
