Instant classic as Dolezal, Barrington edge Camardo, BG

Sixteen years ago, Buffalo Grove and Barrington played one of the longest softball games in IHSA history.

Former all-area pitchers Randi Freese (Barrington) and Kim Czapla (BG) hooked up for 22 innings in a game that lasted two days (May 17 and 18 of 1999) at Buffalo Grove.

The visiting Fillies won 2-0.

The same two teams didn't play anywhere near that same amount of innings on Friday on the same diamond.

But the game was every bit as dramatic and ended up with the exact same result - a 2-0 win by the Fillies.

This one also matched pair of all-area hurlers as Loyola recruit Keenan Dolezal earned the win over Whitewater-bound Julia Camardo in a terrific pitchers' duel.

Dolezal (11-3) earned her seventh shutout of the season with a 1-hitter and 10 strikeouts.

Camardo (7-2) allowed only 3 hits and struck out eight for the Bison (7-3, 1-2).

"It was a great game," said Barrington coach Perry Peterson, whose club improved to 12-3 and 3-0 in the Mid-Suburban West. "It reminded me of the Barrington-Buffalo Grove battles of the late 1990s and that 22-inning game.

"Both teams played outstanding and should be commended for their efforts."

Among the top efforts was that by Caitlin Catino in the top of the fifth inning.

The Bison senior center field leaped high to take away a homer from sophomore Rachel Krzysko with an outstanding catch near the top of the fence for the second out.

Catino also had the three-time defending MSL East champs' only hit, a line drive single to left to lead off the bottom of the fourth after Dolezal was perfect through three innings.

"Keenan is an effective pitcher all the time," said Catino, who will also play at Whitewater with Camardo. "She knows how to pitch at us. We still have a lot of work to do hitting-wise."

Middle infielders Kelly Katis and Liz Sweeney had the big hits for Barrington in the first inning.

Katis led off the game with a single to left, advanced to second on Krzysko's sacrifice bunt and came home when Sweeny drove a single to right center.

"Getting that first run gave us some momentum," Sweeney said. "We had a great infield warm-up before the game and that really got us going. "We knew this was going to be a nail-biter and we came in prepared."

Second baseman Katis and shortstop Sweeney came up big in the fourth inning when Catino had her leadoff single.

With one out, Dea Barton hit a ball up the middle but Sweeney was able to knock it down with her outstretch glove enabling Katis to slide over and grab it while also touching the bag to force the speedy Catino at second base.

Dolezal then made a great stab of Emily Carne's hard-hit grounder to the right side and threw to first baseman Julie Magro for the final out of the inning.

The Bison defense also had its share of big plays, including Barton's nice play at short when she went into the hole on Jenna Fingerman's grounder and threw to first baseman Nikki Longdon for the first out of the sixth inning.

"Our defense really worked hard and Julia was outstanding holding down a strong hitting team," said Bison coach Jamie Paul. "It was a great game. We came up short but we will use it to learn from and to get better for the next time."

Dolezal, who only allowed only three baserunners, got an insurance run in the in the top of the fourth when her catcher Rachel Macdonald led off with a walk.

An error on Fingerman's sacrifice bunt attempt got courtesy runner Catherine McMahon to third base. McMahon was able to score on Nicole Chapman's ground ball single to left field with no outs.

Camardo then escaped further damage with a sacrifice bunt out (third baseman Jasmine Avalos to second baseman Grace Gran) and 2 strikeouts.