Softball: St. Charles North blows past Fremd
Combining a relentless offensive approach with strong pitching and solid defense, St. Charles North captured its fourth consecutive Class 4A regional softball championship Saturday.
Playing as the visiting team on its own field, the fifth-seeded North Stars (19-9) scored runs in every inning during their 12-1, 6-inning triumph over third-seeded Fremd (20-8).
Allie Moberg's RBI double and Alyssa Eby's run-scoring single helped provide the North Stars with a 2-0 first-inning lead.
Moberg returned to the batter's box in the second and launched a towering 2-run double to deep left to make it 4-0.
Run-scoring singles from Grace Quinn and Jordyn Wolfe in the third - part of the North Stars' 16-hit attack - extended the lead to 6-0 - more than enough support for junior pitcher Jillian Waslawski, who limited a potent Fremd offense to just 4 hits.
"Our bats are starting to come alive at the right time," said North Stars coach Tom Poulin. "We told the girls before the game that the difference today was going to be our bats."
Poulin was just happy to pencil in a starting lineup featuring speed, power and plenty of balance.
"This is really the first time we've had everybody healthy," said Poulin, whose team advances to Wednesday's St. Charles East sectional semifinal matchup against No. 2 Conant (22-6).
"We've had two girls out with concussions and another with an arm issue. We finally have, 1 through 9, the lineup that Thijs (assistant coach Dennison) and I envisioned as far as bats are concerned."
Waslawski helped her own cause by belting a solo home run in the fourth before Wolfe's 2-run triple and Quinn's 2-run home run added to the onslaught.
"We went up attacking - each and every one of us," said Wolfe, who went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.
Poulin singled out Wolfe for her extraordinary accomplishment Saturday as a 4-time regional champion.
"I don't think anyone has ever done that in our program," said the coach. "We talked about that today that we've been here before. We should have some confidence so let's play like we've been here before because we have."
Fighting back tears, Wolfe soaked in the moment afterward while clutching the regional title plaque and posing for numerous celebratory photos.
"It has been an honor the four years that I've played on this field," said Wolfe. "I couldn't ask the coaching staff or my teammates to be any better. This is what it's all about."
Lexi D'Ambrosio drove in the Vikings' lone run with a first-inning double.
"I don't think we approached the game the right way," said Fremd coach Josh Teschner. "We put them in a positive situation by playing poorly defensively early - not making two plays in particular."
It marked the final prep games for Viking seniors Sydney Heinrich, Ann Marie O'Sullivan, Reagan Schneider and Becca Uhrich.
"I'm proud of the way these seniors have come together and led a group of largely untested players," said Teschner.