Benet’s McGuire commits to Georgia

Maeve McGuire’s great month of June just got even better.

After leading Benet to a third-place finish in Class 4A state softball, the Redwings sophomore this week made a verbal commitment to Southeastern Conference power Georgia.

Benet coach Jerry Schilf said on more than one occasion this spring that Georgia was McGuire’s “dream school.” It isn’t a dream anymore.

“I’m real happy for the kid,” Schilf said. “It’s not often at Benet that we have a kid sign with a big-time school for softball. It takes the pressure off her, whether self-imposed or not.”

McGuire’s season started with a two-homer game against Neuqua Valley the first week, and she didn’t let up.

The sweet-swinging lefty leadoff hitter/right fielder batted .469 with 26 doubles, 1 shy of the state record, scored 49 runs, drove in 26 and had 2 triples and 5 homers.

McGuire was even better in the playoffs.

She reached base 12 straight plate appearances at one point and went 8-for-10 in the two sectional games and the supersectional as Benet reached the state tournament for the first time in program history. She also went 3-for-5 in the third-place win over New Trier.

McGuire is joining one of the best programs in the country at Georgia.

The Bulldogs made it to the final four of the Women’s College World Series in 2009 and 2010 and in 2011 spent four weeks ranked No. 1 in the country, according to the USA Today poll. Georgia went 51-14 this spring, advancing to the NCAA Super Regional.

McGuire is the second member of this year’s Daily Herald All-Area team to commit to Georgia, joining Wheaton North senior shortstop Paige Wilson.

“Her ultimate goal is to play in the College World Series,” Schilf said of McGuire. “Maeve has huge aspirations. She’s not planning on going down there just to be on the team. She has to continue to work hard, and she will.”