Downers Grove South gets edge on Willowbrook
Conference races in high school softball are in full swing, and Downers Grove South helped itself in a big way in the West Suburban Gold with a 9-2 home win Wednesday over Willowbrook.
The win pushed the Mustangs to 19-0, 5-0 in league play. Willowbrook, however, is in the vicinity in the standings at 12-6 and 3-1 with the teams playing again May 19 at Willowbrook.
"I've seen us play better. But we got some clutch hits when we needed them," said Downers South coach Ron Havelka. "Willowbrook played well."
The Mustangs managed just 1 run on 4 hits during the first 4 innings of the contest before erupting for 8 runs on 9 hits in the final two innings. The top hitter for Downers South was first baseman Kristin Lea, who doubled in both the fifth and sixth innings and finished with 3 RBI.
"It just clicked. Hitting is contagious. One person gets a hit and everyone gets excited," she said.
Lea's double in the fifth brought home Kristen Bialek, who had singled to left, for what was the winning run at 2-1. Lea's double in the sixth plated 2 runs as did Megan LoBianco's single to left. Zahrya McFarland's double was another run-scoring hit that inning.
Also contributing was catcher Rebekah Ondracek's RBI single in the fifth.
Downers South took a 1-0 advantage in the second. Nicole Bowman singled to center and Rebecca Bluder's sacrifice fly scored her.
Going into Wednesday, the Mustangs had earned two straight no-hitters. On Tuesday Payton Buresch struck out 12 in a 14-0 win at Addison Trail, and Wednesday's winning pitcher, Caroline Hedgcock, no-hit Hinsdale South last Friday 11-0 behind 11 strikeouts.
Willowbrook, though, connected on 7 hits. It tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning. Starting pitcher Zoe Dannenberg walked and with two outs Alyssa Ressinger singled to score her.
The Warriors got one more run in the seventh when Dannenberg walked again and Alex Kassal scored her on a single to right. Hedgcock then retired the side to seal the win.
Willowbrook coach Rachel Karos was pleased with how Dannenberg pitched and how her team played overall. She believes the Warriors are in a good position for the rematch May 19.
"I don't feel the score represents how we actually played, and I'm excited we get another chance," she said. "I did not think we had bad innings. Downers Grove South has good hitters and they found holes. Our defense was solid throughout, and Zoe pitched a good game."
Both teams return to West Suburban Gold play on Friday. Downers South is at Morton and the Warriors play host to Addison Trail. Both games begin at 4:30 p.m.
"It's a real good feeling (being undefeated)," Lea said. "You definitely have confidence in youselves. But you also have a target on your back and need to be on your toes every game."