Student-athletes are just that. Students first, athletes second.
So when Loyola seniors Jillian Herrington and Julie Bumgardner were faced with attending their graduation ceremony or playing in Saturday’s Schaumburg sectional semifinal against Lake Park, the decision was easy.
Starting second baseman Herrington didn’t play, and all-conference shortstop Bumgardner left for the ceremony in the fourth inning, with the Ramblers clinging to a one-run lead.
Their academic careers may have officially ended, but the softball season hasn’t for Herrington, Bumgardner and their younger teammates, because Loyola (24-6) rode its underclassmen to a 1-0 victory.
Loyola scored its run in the first inning when Christine Favia stole second and came all the way home on the ensuing overthrow.
The Ramblers will seek their first sectional title Monday at 4:30 p.m. against Glenbard North.
“We had to shift people around,” explained Loyola coach Jon Cohn, who is hoping for his first sectional title after 27 years at Marillac and Loyola. “Second, short and third were all playing different positions than normal. I was extremely proud of the young players who had to step in. They really came through. Maral (Binnebose) pitched a phenomenal game.”
Binnebose (18-5), a sophomore, has pitched four phenomenal games in a row, throwing shutouts in each of Loyola’s four state-tournament victories. She gave up two hits and struck out nine.
West Aurora: When Naperville North (20-11) spotted top-ranked Glenbard West (31-3) a two-run lead in the first the damage was done; the Hilltoppers sailed to a 3-0 victory behind the two-hit pitching of Adrienne Salerno.
Glenbard West’s early advantage came when Jenny Davis singled home Michelle Grotto and later scored on an error.
Barrington: Jackie Starkey’s three-run homer in the first inning set the tone as third-ranked Mundelein (35-2) scored six runs in the opening frame and routed Grant 13-0 to advance to Monday night’s sectional final against Lake Zurich. Mundelein defeated Lake Zurich by 2-0 and 5-1 scores earlier this season.
Christy Ward won her 17th game in 18 decisions by throwing a one-hitter and striking out five.
Meredith Farmer (four RBIs), Kim Davignon (three runs) and Gina Pasquesi each registered three hits in the rout. The Mustangs put the game away by adding six runs in the fifth.
In the second game, winning pitcher Nickie Davis (18-3) hit her second homer of the season in the sixth to snap a 4-4 tie, and Lake Zurich went on to nip Stevenson 5-4.
The Bears (25-6) scored twice in the first on RBI singles by Katie Meehan and Britt Bishoff and added single runs in the second and third. Stevenson (26-11) scored three in the third and tied the game in the fifth on Molly Harrigan’s infield out.
Schaumburg: Dawn Piantino (2 for 4, double, triple) drove in runs in the fifth and sixth innings to help Glenbard North finish off sixth-ranked Oak Park (27-7) 5-3 and advance to Monday’s sectional final against Loyola. Christine Vena allowed eight hits for the Panthers (23-12).
East Moline: Morris pitcher Stefanie Steele was her usual brilliant self, but Machesney Park Harlem came up with clutch hits at just the right time in its 2-1 victory over the No. 9 Redskins.
Two of the three hits Steele allowed drove in runs. Harlem scored its first run on an error and a triple in the fourth. It could have been worse if two Harlem runners hadn’t been gunned down at the plate. Harlem scored the winning run in the seventh on two walks, a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch and an RBI single. Morris (31-5) went down in order in their half of the seventh.
The lone Redskin tally came in the fourth when Steele doubled home Meghan Maskel.
