There is usually one surprise team that sneaks into the Class AA softball Sweet 16, upsetting highly touted powerhouses with an overachieving bunch fueled by a nothing-to-lose attitude.
This season, it’s Cinderella times four as Elk Grove (25-8), Bradley-Bourbonnais (17-12), Fremd (21-10) and Waubonsie Valley (23-12) head into Monday’s sectional championships just one victory away from a trip to the state quarterfinals Thursday in Pekin.
The balance of power in the Chicago area this spring has never been more evident than in the postseason. Already eliminated are No. 1-ranked Mundelein, No. 2 Mother McAuley, No. 6 Homewood-Flossmoor, No. 7 Glenbard West, No. 8 Downers Grove South and No. 9 Richards, along with highly regarded Fenwick, Joliet Catholic, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Stevenson, Morris, Hersey, Thornton Fractional South and Lake Park.
“We’re lucky to still be playing,” said Fremd coach Rob Harris, whose ballclub has blown last-inning leads in the last two games, only to win in the eighth. “But coming back in the eighth both times shows a lot of character.”
Here’s a rundown on Monday’s sectional finals:
Thornwood (33-4) vs. Sandburg (26-12)–Sandburg coach Marty Balle put together perhaps the toughest schedule in the state to have his team ready for just such a showdown in South Holland. Junior pitcher Kelley Morris and the Eagles’ defense will need to contain Thornwood’s slap-hitting attack headed by Stacy Radulovich. The Thunderbirds’ other key offensive threats are Tami Bouck, Jaime Dunlap, Helen Kelliher and Shannon Deckelmann. Pitcher Jolene Klomp (15-2) has been tough in the postseason. Sandburg relies on top hitters Diana Klen, Jenny Degliomini, Lisa Leddin and Gina Salvatori.
New Trier (29-6) vs. Fremd (21-10)–Can Fremd, led by Kelly Hinz, Kari Kreuz and Chris Rezotko, score against Trevian ace Kathleen Fanaro (21-2) in the Barrington sectional? Fanaro is the left-handed junior who fired a no-hitter Saturday against Mundelein and never got very excited because “there’s still more to come.” New Trier, which features Laura Jacobs, freshman sensation Bridget Cooper, Kerry Chookaszian and Marni Honacker, defeated Fremd 6-1 earlier this spring, although it was 1-0 heading into the seventh.
Stagg (32-4) vs. Waubonsie Valley (23-12)–After Stagg ace Sarah Haak prevailed 1-0 over Hinsdale South ace Marie Barda in 14 innings Saturday, she is ready for anything. The Chargers figure to score more runs in the East Aurora sectional behind the hitting of Jessica Lilja, Krysten Matlawski, Laurie Markatos and Abby Booth.
Elk Grove (26-9) vs. Oak Park (28-7)–Sara Jackson has sparked Elk Grove, but Oak Park pitcher Monica Neuert (19-4) will be tough to beat at the St. Charles sectional. Jamine Blesoff, Melanie Marcy and Alison White are Oak Park’s big hitters.
Moline (19-12) vs. Bradley-Bourbonnais (17-12)–The Boilermakers are vast underdogs to the defending state champion that is led by All-State candidate Kelly Dexter and Amy DeSmet. Bradley has been peaking since a big victory over Morris in the Ottawa regional final.
In the Downstate sectionals, last year’s Class AA runner-up Morton (32-3) and All-State pitcher Ashley Fauser are expected to ease by Rantoul (34-3), while Belleville East (31-4), behind Stacy Siebert and Melanie LaHaie, is the choice over Springfield Southeast (31-2).
Utmost respect: Thornwood baseball coach Jon Dunlop was less than pleased with criticism directed at him by the Stagg coaching staff after Saturday’s sectional contest. The remarks stemmed from Dunlop’s decision to bunt two runners up in the fifth inning when the T-Birds were leading 13-1. Both runners eventually scored on wild pitches.
“They’re a fine baseball team, and they’ve come back against some pretty good teams this year,” Dunlop explained of Stagg. “I have too much respect for their kids, their coaches and their program not to make that play. If someone does that against me, that’s a sign of respect in my eyes because they’re saying that they think we have a good enough team to come back.”
Mark of accomplishment: Thornwood has now won nine consecutive SICA East baseball titles and has recorded its fifth straight season with at least 30 wins.
Caught stealing: Mt. Carmel catcher Mike McKenna joined an elite club Saturday when he gunned down Providence speedster Joe Schley at third base. Schley entered the game with 54 steals in 55 attempts, having been nailed only by a Lincoln-Way backstop. Schley may have gotten a touch greedy: he had swiped second the pitch before.
