Hersey's preparation leads to Fling victory

For the first time in her nine seasons, Hersey softball coach Molly Freeman said her team was able to practice outside before its first game of the season.

The Huskies made it pay off by taking a 6-4 decision from Lake Zurich in the quarterfinals of the Barrington Spring Fling on Tuesday at the Fields of Dreams.

Hersey scored 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth to rally from a 4-3 deficit.

"I can't remember ever being outside for practice before (the Spring Fling)," Freeman said. "We were ready to go. We had great energy and the team chemistry was awesome."

Junior Kaitlyn Denten worked the first five innings, striking out six, while freshman Sarah Bailitz came in and struck out two in the final 2 innings to earn the win.

"Our pitchers threw strikes, no walks by either," Freeman said. "This was a good win for us. We're excited."

Junior Jackie Bednar singled to tie the game at 4-4 in the sixth before junior Sofia Cano (2-for-3) and freshman Mikayla Tsagalis (2-for-3) each had two-out RBI singles.

Junior Remy Gerew also went 2-for-3 for the Huskies while sophomore Jodie Hermann, junior Katie Wingerter and sophomore Hannah Graff also had hits.

"I was real happy with 10 hits in our opening game," Freeman added.

Barrington 10, Glenbrook North 0 (5 inn.): Rachel Krzysko (3-for-3, 3 RBI), Carly Kordich (3-for-4, 4 runs), Rachel Macdonald (2-for-3, double, 4 RBI) and Jamie Brown (2-for-3, double, RBI) led the Fillies in their season opener and quarterfinal of their own eight-team Spring Fling.

It marked the 998th win in Barrington softball history.

Sophomore Catherine McMahon (2-0 for her career) went all five innings for the shutout, striking out eight and walking one.

Zion-Benton 5, Maine West 1: Sophomore Allison Eby went all 7 innings for the Warriors in their season opener. "She was She was aggressive at the mound and our defense supported her with some great plays," said Warriors assistant coach Amanda Forssander. "Anne Lipinski made some great catches in right that Zion-Benton from scoring, which was huge."

All-area catcher Kayla Pociejewski was a standout at shortstop.

"She made great plays kept the momentum going for us during the game with a hit to right-center," Forssander added.

Allison Pearson sparked the Warriors' offense.

"She made gave us some nice hits to each side the outfield (double and single)," Forssander said.

Pociejewski, Nora Mcdonald and Eby also had hits for the Warriors.