Fillies go down swinging
EAST PEORIA -- The girls from the Fields of Dreams were dreaming of a state title when they arrived in this river city on Thursday.
While those dreams weren't quite met, the Barrington softball team still accomplished what few other progams ever will.
The Mid-Suburban League champs (31-7) are bringing back the second-place trophy for the second straight year after falling 4-1 to Lincoln Way Central, a first-time Elite Eight qualifier but a longtime Illinois softball power.
The Knights (33-9) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth with an unearned run, went ahead 2-0 in the sixth and added 2 in the seventh to win the Class 4A state crown at the EastSide Centre on Saturday night.
The Fillies' lone run came on a towering home run by shortstop Michal Jane Maropis on the last at-bat of her stellar three-year varsity career. It cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
But the Knights added 2 unearned runs in the top of the seventh, then their junior ace Jackie Dugan (19-7) retired the side in order in the bottom half.
"We fought really hard for first," said Fillies second baseman Jessica McGurn, who reached base in 10 of her final 12 at-bats of the season, including 8 hits. "We didn't want it to end this way but it was an amazing season. I couldn't have played with better teammates or a better program."
Fillies coach Perry Peterson, who has 497 career victories, could not have been more proud.
"To be 0-0 going into the fifth inning, you're right there with the state champions," he said. "We didn't end up where we wanted to be but you can't take anything away from Lincoln-Way Central. They have big, strong, talented athletes. Their program is like our Barrington soccer program. They have lots of kids come out and lots of depth."
Peterson had 38 players try out for all levels this spring and made no cuts.
"All 38 did a great job and to the credit of the top 15 who were on this team, they worked so hard to go out and try to reach their goal of a state title. They came close, but it didn't quite happen."
Dugan struck out seven while Fillies junior ace Kim Cygan (30-7) struck out three and gave up only 2 earned runs.
"Kim and our four seniors (McGurn, Maropis, Lisa Shandley and Devinne Wapotish) carried this team and everyone else contributed well," Peterson said. "There's a lot to be proud of for Barrington High School. A lot of people thought we weren't good enough to win the MSL West (14-2) but these kids improved as the season went on."
The Fillies had a chance to score first in the second when McGurn doubled off the left-field wall with one out.
Freshman third baseman Kristen Kuhn (2-for-3) followed with a bloop single to left center.
But Dugan escaped with back-to-back strikeouts.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Fillies had a chance to tie the game at 1-1 when Shandley's bunt advanced Lindsey Dulla to third and Colleen Shandley (2-for-4) to second. But right fielder Courtney Dunker made a nice catch on Devinne Wapotish's well-hit fly ball to end the threat.
"Because we lost so many key seniors, people didn't think we'd make it here again," said Wapotish, Barrington's senior catcher. "But I'm really proud this team was able to do this again."
Peterson won't soon forget this team or its coaching staff.
"I'm so proud of all my assistants who work so diligently on all our levels," he said. "They all try to give their best for every player in the program. And the same for our athletic administration that works so hard to make female sports so important at Barrington.
"This was our 104th day of the season (starting from the first day of tryouts Feb. 21). And I have loved every day. These kids were so great to work with and their families were a pleasure.
"Just like they did all season, they never quit at the end. They kept competing."
A welcome-home reception for the team will be held today at noon at the Fields of Dreams.