Post by Admin on Jun 6, 2013 14:27:35 GMT -5
Bill Harrison writes:
After Tuesday’s Class 3A supersectionals were complete, the stage was set for the full field of 3A and 4A teams to square off at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria on Friday and Saturday.
Tinley Park’s remarkable run continued with a dominating 7-0 win over Peoria Notre Dame in the 3A ISU Supersectional. Sarah Gillespie pitched a four-hit, six-strikeout performance in leading the way to the program’s first state appearance.
“The kids are thrilled to death,” Tinley Park coach Wendy Podbielniak said. “Since my seniors have been freshmen this is something we planned on. We have never looked back since losing to Providence last year in the sectional final. It’s one game at a time and this is just another fantastic opportunity.”
Shortstop leadoff hitter Alyssa Gunther has been the catalyst on offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. She was complemented by freshman second baseman Lexxi Lux — one of four freshmen starters — who had a pair of RBI groundouts and teamed up with Gunther for a rare 6-4-3 double play.
The Titans (23-7) will be challenged when they face defending champ Glenbard South (29-5) at 10 a.m. Friday. The Raiders practically have a time-share plan in East Peoria, returning for the fifth time in six years. They lost seven seniors from last season, but behind the leadership of pitcher/catcher Jane Trzaska and pitcher Stephanie Chitkowski have managed to find a way back.
“This team has surprised me for sure,” said Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda, whose team survived a 2-1, 11-inning supersectional win over Fenwick. “They have come so far so fast. I knew we would have pitching, but the way these kids came together to form a team has been an amazing experience in itself. I am so proud of how far they have come.”
The winner of that game will meet the victor of the 12:30 p.m. semifinal between Sterling (28-3) and Alton Marquette (30-6). Sterling is making its first program appearance Downstate, while Marquette won its third supersectional in four years. Sterling pitcher Stephanie Kester is 24-3 and has 75 career varsity wins. Marquette pitcher and Mississippi State recruit Alexis Silkwood (29-1) might be the best player of all eight teams.
Headlining the 4A field is Barrington. The Fillies (35-1), whose only loss was a 15-inning marathon with Marengo, have pounded out 54 home runs, shattering the school record of 30 and joining Trinity, who owns the new record with 60, in rewriting the state record book. The previous record for home runs by a team was 51 by Antioch and O’Fallon.
“The starters are a veteran group who have proven that teamwork and togetherness can carry you a long way in this team sport,” said Barrington coach Perry Peterson, who has guided the Fillies to eight state appearances. “Going Downstate is always special.”
All starting nine have hit at least one home run. Leading the way is Arkansas recruit Loren Krzysko (.504 average, 20 doubles, 59 RBI) with 18. Morgan Olszewski has nine, Tess Volger has seven, Maggie O’Hara has six and Krista Moore has five. They will meet up with St. Charles East (30-4) in the 3:00 p.m. game Friday. The Saints defeated Downers South in the Rosemont Supersectional and are making their first program appearance Downstate.
The winner of that game will play the winner of York (23-14) vs. Minooka (21-8). York’s only other trip to the state semis was in 2003, while Minooka (21-8) is another newbie making a first appearance at state.
After Tuesday’s Class 3A supersectionals were complete, the stage was set for the full field of 3A and 4A teams to square off at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria on Friday and Saturday.
Tinley Park’s remarkable run continued with a dominating 7-0 win over Peoria Notre Dame in the 3A ISU Supersectional. Sarah Gillespie pitched a four-hit, six-strikeout performance in leading the way to the program’s first state appearance.
“The kids are thrilled to death,” Tinley Park coach Wendy Podbielniak said. “Since my seniors have been freshmen this is something we planned on. We have never looked back since losing to Providence last year in the sectional final. It’s one game at a time and this is just another fantastic opportunity.”
Shortstop leadoff hitter Alyssa Gunther has been the catalyst on offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. She was complemented by freshman second baseman Lexxi Lux — one of four freshmen starters — who had a pair of RBI groundouts and teamed up with Gunther for a rare 6-4-3 double play.
The Titans (23-7) will be challenged when they face defending champ Glenbard South (29-5) at 10 a.m. Friday. The Raiders practically have a time-share plan in East Peoria, returning for the fifth time in six years. They lost seven seniors from last season, but behind the leadership of pitcher/catcher Jane Trzaska and pitcher Stephanie Chitkowski have managed to find a way back.
“This team has surprised me for sure,” said Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda, whose team survived a 2-1, 11-inning supersectional win over Fenwick. “They have come so far so fast. I knew we would have pitching, but the way these kids came together to form a team has been an amazing experience in itself. I am so proud of how far they have come.”
The winner of that game will meet the victor of the 12:30 p.m. semifinal between Sterling (28-3) and Alton Marquette (30-6). Sterling is making its first program appearance Downstate, while Marquette won its third supersectional in four years. Sterling pitcher Stephanie Kester is 24-3 and has 75 career varsity wins. Marquette pitcher and Mississippi State recruit Alexis Silkwood (29-1) might be the best player of all eight teams.
Headlining the 4A field is Barrington. The Fillies (35-1), whose only loss was a 15-inning marathon with Marengo, have pounded out 54 home runs, shattering the school record of 30 and joining Trinity, who owns the new record with 60, in rewriting the state record book. The previous record for home runs by a team was 51 by Antioch and O’Fallon.
“The starters are a veteran group who have proven that teamwork and togetherness can carry you a long way in this team sport,” said Barrington coach Perry Peterson, who has guided the Fillies to eight state appearances. “Going Downstate is always special.”
All starting nine have hit at least one home run. Leading the way is Arkansas recruit Loren Krzysko (.504 average, 20 doubles, 59 RBI) with 18. Morgan Olszewski has nine, Tess Volger has seven, Maggie O’Hara has six and Krista Moore has five. They will meet up with St. Charles East (30-4) in the 3:00 p.m. game Friday. The Saints defeated Downers South in the Rosemont Supersectional and are making their first program appearance Downstate.
The winner of that game will play the winner of York (23-14) vs. Minooka (21-8). York’s only other trip to the state semis was in 2003, while Minooka (21-8) is another newbie making a first appearance at state.