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Softball: Glenbard South gangs up on St. Francis

Glenbard South senior pitcher Ashley Cohen anticipated the possibility of nearby neighbor and freshman pitcher Ella Little helping the softball team this season.

"I was hoping she'd come and make varsity and be a pitcher with me because I know she's worked hard in her travel seasons," Cohen said.

They'll be teammates at least one more game.

On Thursday, Little and Cohen combined on a 4-hit shutout as the Raiders defeated St. Francis 4-0 in the Class 3A Glenbard South sectional semifinals in Glen Ellyn.

Glenbard South (25-5), the No. 3 sectional seed, plays No. 1 Montini (30-3) for the sectional title at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Raiders lost to No. 2 St. Francis (27-2) in last year's sectional semifinals 8-4.

"This is a really big win for me, coming back from a loss to them," said Cohen, who got the final nine outs for her first save. "I warmed up with Ella before the game and I was ready to roll in case anything happened. Ella did a great job."

The Raiders scored all 4 runs in the top of the first inning - all with two outs. With the bases loaded by walks, two runs scored when senior Reilee Flanagan's infield popup was dropped, and Little followed with a 2-run single to left.

Little (11-1) and Cohen combined on their first shutout. This also was the first time the Spartans were shut out this season.

"They are so different in their speeds and their money pitches. It really does work for us," Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda said. "(The Spartans) hit 1 thorough 9 and I think we did a great job of hitting spots. They did a wonderful job. (Catcher) Aly Miller did an amazing job calling the game."

The Raiders also won despite just 3 hits, their second-lowest total of the season, off Shelby Winkelman (13-1). The sophomore struck out eight and had 7 walks, 3 to Miller and 2 to sophomore Bailee Flanagan. Cohen doubled.

"I think we kind of took the air out of them by putting 4 on the board (in the first)," Fonda said. "I said the highlight of the game was Reilee putting the ball in play - and running it out. She got all the way to second, and my runners didn't hesitate either."

Both teams stranded five in scoring position. With St. Francis seniors Maddie Fitzgerald and Fiona Summers on second and first, Cohen got a groundout to end the game.

The Spartans' other loss was 8-4 to Orangeville April 9 in northwest Illinois.

"We got off to a bad start and couldn't recover, but give them credit. I didn't think a team could shut us out," St. Francis coach Ralph Remus said. "They played nice defense and their pitchers were tough."

Fonda has used both pitchers in 8 to 10 games. Little found out she was starting during warmups.

Little allowed three hits with two strikeouts on full counts and one hit batter. After Little's only walk began the fifth, Cohen came in and allowed one hit with two strikeouts and a walk.

"I was a little nervous at first, but once we got our intensity up, I felt real good," Little said. "It's actually given me a lot of confidence just to know that I can help out the team."

The outfield caught four of the Spartans' first eight outs. The ball didn't leave the infield again until Summers' second single in the seventh.

"We hit some nice balls and they were right at their fielders. Some days are like that," Remus said. "It was a great season. I kind of thought this would be more of a rebuilding season because I lost seven senior starters, but the young kids all stepped up."

Both teams only have four seniors. Summers will play at Kalamazoo College. Cohen and Payton Carli were part of the Raiders' second straight state title in 2013.

"Being a freshman on the team, I was really nervous going down," Cohen said. "It didn't settle in that we actually won state until a week or two later. I was like, 'Wait. This doesn't happen to everyone.'"

  St. Francis's Josie Smith tags out Glenbard South's Kate Mora at second base during a 4-0 sectional semifinal loss to Glenbard South. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  St. Francis's Josie Smith tags out Glenbard South's Payton Carli at second base during a 4-0 sectional semifinal loss to Glenbard South. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard South pitcher Daniella Little delivers a pitch during a 4-0 sectional semifinal win over St. Francis. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  St. Francis pitcher Shelby Winkelman delivers a pitch against Glenbard South during a 4-0 sectional semifinal loss. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Glenbard South's Bailee Flanagan, left, celebrates a 4-0 sectional semifinal win over St. Francis during softball action at Glenbard South. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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