Glenbard South 4, Oak Forest 1

Glenbard South's Raiders can book their trip to East Peoria many observers had already reserved for them.

The Raiders scored 3 runs with two outs in the third inning of Monday's Class 3A supersectional game against Oak Forest in Glen Ellyn -- and Jill Trzaska made the lead stand for a 4-1 win.

The Raiders (28-6), who qualified for the state softball tournament for the second time in school history, will play Mattoon at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria.

"Three months ago when the season started we sat down in coach (Julie) Fonda's classroom and made out our season goals," said Trzaska, one of five senior starters. "The first thing out of everybody's mouth was 'going to state.'

"Not many teams are fortunate enough to get a second chance. We got that second chance."

Trzaska was referring to a 2-1 loss to Downers Grove South in the Class AA supersectionals last year. Moved to Class 3A in the new four-class softball system, the Raiders fulfilled expectations of a state tournament run.

"There was some unfinished business, no doubt," Fonda said. "They laid their hearts on the line last year and had it taken away from them. This year it went our way."

With a large home crowd on hand in Glen Ellyn, the host Raiders got things going in the third.

Amanda Straka was hit with an 0-2 pitch, and Lauren Podgorski drew a walk. Two outs later, freshman cleanup hitter Jennifer Wittenberg lined a single past the third baseman, scoring Podgorski.

"Right down the middle," was where Wittenberg said she was looking for the pitch, and got it. "I hit against their pitcher in travel and had success against her before."

Next came Emily Braem, who dropped a perfectly-placed single right on the line in short right field, driving in 2 runs for a 3-0 lead.

"We took advantage of every little thing that went our way today," Fonda said.

Trzaska, who came in with 3 straight postseason shutouts, had only two 1-2-3 innings -- but she made the pitches when it counted.

Trzaska (20-2) struck out eight, and stranded runners in scoring position in the second, fifth and sixth innings.

Oak Forest (22-8) finally broke through for a run in the sixth, but Trzaska got it back with an RBI double of her own in the bottom half.

"We worked what the umpire gave us," said Trzaska, referring to her and senior batterymate Jess Fijolek. "They were giving us the outside corner. That was our go-to pitch when we needed it."

"Jill has been like that all year, and her whole career," Fonda said. "When runners are in scoring position, she gets tougher."