Softball: Downers Grove North takes pitchers' duel from WW South
Thursday's Class 4A Downers Grove North regional semifinal between the host Trojans and Wheaton Warrenville South wasn't about domination.
Domination was seated in a lawn chair watching the action. The Trojans, seeded fifth in the Bolingbrook sectional, won 2-0 because they made the most of the few opportunities they had as both teams had elite pitchers on the mound.
"We knew it was going to be a tight game. We had to execute in situations, had to play clean and get the job done," said Renee Bielawa, whose sacrifice fly brought home Downers North's second and final run.
The Trojans (24-6) advance to Saturday's regional final, which starts at 11 a.m., to take on third-seeded Plainfield East. The Bengals dispatched Bolingbrook 4-0 in Thursday's first semifinal and beat Downers North in early April.
"They can hit. They have a really good defense. We're going to have to jump on them early and keep hitting," said Downers North starting pitcher Savannah Rodriguez, who came within one out of a no-hitter against 11th-seeded WW South.
After Rodriguez struck out the side to begin the game, the Trojans wasted no time getting on the board in their half of the inning. Leadoff hitter Katie Polaski singled to center and stole second. Then with two out, a fielding error put Rodriguez on base and scored Polaski.
While Rodriguez had a good outing, so did Tigers senior pitcher Sydne Shattuck. After Downers North scored its first run, she set the Trojans down in order in the second and third innings. She allowed just a double to MacKenzie Bernhard in the fourth.
"We knew it would be a challenge offensively, that it could be a 1-0, 2-0 game. We just didn't do enough to win. Downers Grove North is a really, really good team and give them credit," said WW South coach Jeff Pawlak.
The battle for the Trojans' second run in the fifth began when catcher Rae Meents led off with a single to center. Kaitlyn Marra, running for Meents, moved to third on Jade Mejia Wick's single to right. That set the stage for Bielawa's sacrifice fly.
Rodriguez started the sixth by reaching on an infield hit, but Shattuck set the subsequent batters down in order.
Shattuck allowed just five hits and struck out six.
Carly Briggs' single to right with two outs in the seventh was WW South's lone hit of the afternoon.
"I had no idea (about the no-hitter). I was in the groove, shutting people down. It's a great feeling," Rodriguez said. "We have a great defense. I didn't feel any pressure."
That didn't surprise Downers North coach Eric Landschoot.
"Savannah is the least selfish player I have ever coached. She's a smart pitcher. But she's not selfish. That doesn't mean she's not a gamer. But she puts team first," he said.
As for WW South, plenty of familiar faces will return in 2018.
"We lose five seniors, but we started two, three sophomores and a freshman. And we have a lot of talented girls coming up from the lower levels," Pawlak said. "I feel bad for the seniors today, but I am excited about the future."