Burlington Central advances to sectional final
BELVIDERE - Emily Kisch pitched a complete-game 5-hit shutout and doubled in the winning run, leading Burlington Central past Sterling, 2-0, in the semifinals of the Class 3A Belvidere North softball sectional Tuesday.
Not bad for somebody who didn't know Monday evening if she'd be able to pitch.
Despite a sore back, Kisch was back in the circle a day after tossing a complete-game shutout in the Rockets' regional final victory.
"I went home (Monday), heated and did all my exercises," said Kisch, who has allowed just 1 run in 21 postseason innings. "I did my exercises before I came today, and my trainer massaged me out."
The Rockets (19-16) will take on the winner of Wednesday's game between Marengo and Belvidere North on Saturday at 11 a.m. for the sectional title. BC is seeking its first trip to the Elite Eight since finishing third in Class 3A in 2009.
The win also snapped a 4-game losing streak against Sterling, including an eight-inning defeat in last year's sectional semifinals and an 11-6 loss on May 16 of this season at the IC Catholic tournament.
With 2 outs in the third inning of Tuesday's win, Courtni Neubauer drew a walk. Kisch then lined a double off the fence in left center, scoring Neubauer. Kisch stole third and scored a big insurance run on an error.
"I was thinking, 'All I want to do is hit more than a single,' " Kisch said. "My thought going up was 'Get better than a single.' "
That was all the run support Kisch needed. She held the Golden Warriors to 3 bloop singles through 5 innings. Only in the sixth did Sterling (26-9) get more than one baserunner Nadia Trujillo doubled with 1 out and Kisch hit Abri Hale with a pitch. But Kisch struck out cleanup hitter Lauren Fritz and retired Emily McDonald to get out of it.
"She is a kid who is coldblooded," said Central coach Kyle Molik of the junior Upper Iowa recruit. "She doesn't care about the scenario. She is so levelheaded that if somebody gets on base, she has to go out and execute her job and she knows how to do that. She's an old soul in a young body."
The Rockets backed Kisch with their third straight errorless game that included a diving catch by freshman right fielder Sarah Kinney.