Barrington handles Warren, picks up program win No. 1,000

After winning seven straight championships in its own Spring Fling tourney, Barrington's softball team suffered a 6-0 loss in the title game to Warren last March.

Apparently, that setback didn't sit too well with the Fillies.

They squared off with the Blue Devils again for the title on Thursday, sending 22 batters to the plate in an 18-run first inning and cruised to a 26-5 triumph at the Fields of Dreams.

The icing on the cake?

It was the 1,000 victory in program history dating back to when records were first kept in 1973.

You can bet there haven't been too many innings like the bottom of the first in those 43 seasons under hall of fame coaches Pam Devins and Perry Peterson.

Seniors Liz Sweeney, Carly Kordich and Rachel Macdonald and junior Rachel Krzysko all batted three times in what might be the highest-scoring inning in program history.

"Absolutely amazing," said Kordich, who went 3-for-3 with 2 walks and a RBI. "Last year, we celebrated 700 career wins for coach Peterson. And now we get another milestone win for the program. It's great keeping the Barrington tradition alive."

The Fillies kept alive the dynamic first inning with 9 hits, 7 walks and 3 errors by Warren.

They didn't stop in the second inning, sending another 13 batters to the plate and adding 8 runs for a 26-1 cushion.

Macdonald finished the game 3-for-5 with 2 doubles and 5 RBI while teammate Jenna Fingerman was 3-for-3 with a walk and 3 RBI.

Jamie Brown (3-for-4, 3 RBI), Abbey Jacobsen (3-for-3, 4 RBI) and Krzysko (2-for-4, walk, 3 RBI) were also multiple hitters.

Sweeney, Kelly Katis, Annie Leiding and sophomore Jenna Patino also had hits for Barrington, which owns a program record of 1,000-347, third in wins only to Casey and Lockport.

"It crazy," Katis said. "It's unbelievable to be part of such a successful program. It's such an honor to wear the jersey and represent such an established program."

"This was definitely a great way to top off 1,000 wins for the program," said Fingerman, who belted a 2-run homer to right in the second inning.

Fingerman started the game at third base and moved to first when Peterson inserted three substitutes in the other three infield positions (sophomore shortstop Julia Kozar, second baseman Patino and freshman third baseman Kendall Peterson).

In all, 19 Fillies played including senior Haley Luczak, freshman Leyden Atlas, freshman Tori Meyer and freshman pitcher Barbara Covek.

Coach Peterson also used sophomore Caroline Hoppe in relief of starter and winner Catherine McMahon, a sophomore who is now 3-0 and 4-0 in her career.

McMahon went the first three innings, striking out eight while giving up a home a home run to Julienne Egofske (first of the year and fifth for the team) and a single to Nicole Somppi.

"We did not get off to a good start," said Warren coach Jenna Charbonneau who used four pitchers (Hannah Nommensen, Sage Staranowicz, Caitlyn Britton and Egosfke).

Devon Plata doubled and Sarah Finkel singled when the Blue Devils (2-1) scored twice in the fourth inning.

Freshman Britton (RBI) and senior Crystal Pennell singled in Warren's 2-run fifth.

"It's always good to see good competition," Charbonneau added. "We definitely have work to do. Next week we go to Tennessee for some games and we'll see of we can work out the kinks there."

The Fillies (3-0) will go back to work on March 26 in their own quad against Huntley and Mundelein.

"This was a special day for the program," said Peterson, who has 701 of the wins at Barrington. "Catherine (McMahon) pitched great. We got it going right away. Any time you score early, it makes it easier. The kids really stepped up and played well. They really wanted this one."