Batavia can't repeat result; Glenbard South wins key WSC contest

With first place in the Western Sun Conference on the line Monday in Glen Ellyn, Batavia couldn't quite defeat defending champ Glenbard South for a second time this season.

Turns out that's because the Bulldogs were playing a different - different as in new and improved - Raider team, a group that looks nothing like the 0-2 team that started conference play.

"We're a different team," Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda said. "We said that today to them. I said at the beginning of the year it is going to take us awhile to click because we have new people in new positions and it takes awhile to find out where everyone belongs chemistry wise. This is a nice time to play good ball."

Jess Wilkes faced the minimum 21 batters, and No. 6 hitter Amanda Fazzari had 3 hits while playing sparkling defense at third base in the Raiders' 3-0 win.

That gives the Raiders (15-12, 8-2) 8 straight wins in conference and moves them a game ahead of Batavia (14-13, 8-4).

Glenbard South plays Sycamore, Yorkville, Rochelle and Kaneland this week to close the regular season, and if the Raiders win out they'll be outright conference champs.

With 3 conference losses, Kaneland also controls its shot for at least a co-championship if the Knights can continue winning and then beat the Raiders Friday in Glen Ellyn.

Like her team, Fazzari also is peaking at the right time. She capped her 3-hit day with an RBI single in the sixth, helping the Raiders break open what had been a tight 1-0 score most of the game.

"It's just a matter of the team coming together," Fazzari said of the turnaround.

"I was struggling at the plate at the beginning (of the year) and it just comes down to whether you are going to practice at home, so I've been practicing by myself at home."

The Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. No. 8 hitter Jackie Wrona started the rally with a single, and her pinch runner Carrie Asselmeier eventually raced home to score on a grounder to short.

"The funny part about that was I said the infield is way in so you are staying put and then the ball was hit and she was gone," Fonda said.

"I trust my kids, a lot of them have great instincts. If you get a lead and have a good opportunity I'd rather see you go and see what happens than dance around."

Batavia only had 2 hits against Wilkes (8-5), and both times Fazzari was involved in double plays to erase the baserunner. In the third, Fazzari made the tag on a 6-3-5 double play, then in the sixth she dove to catch a bunt and fired to first to double off the runner.

"We talked about how the team bunts a lot so it was all about anticipation," Fazzari said.

"Fazzari was awesome offensively and defensively," Fonda said. "Defensively that was one of the best games we've played all year."

Danielle Chitkowski also had an RBI single for Glenbard South in the sixth inning.

Katie Coleman and Alyssa Bleidorn had Batavia's only 2 hits, giving no offensive support for Brooke Nelson (13-8).

"Our bats have cooled off for awhile there, just haven't been able to get them on track," Batavia coach Leon Pedraza said. "We need to get more aggressive at the plate."

Pedraza credited catcher Emily Dorjath for playing with an injured finger on her right hand. Dorjath was able to gun down the only player who tried to steal against her in the fifth inning.

"She did a courageous job back there behind the plate," Pedraza said. "She really stood up for the team and got back there. She knows we need the defense. My hats off to Emily for standing up and playing even though she's nowhere near 100 percent."

Pedraza also was glad to see the Bulldogs playing a meaningful Western Sun game in the final week of the regular season. That's a far cry from their 9-19 record last year.

Batavia will try to bounce back this week against DeKalb and Kaneland heading into the postseason.

"It's attitude, a positive attitude starting to run through the entire program with our freshman level and our sophomore level and now at our varsity level," Pedraza said. "I think you will see our program continue to grow. The girls are understanding what it takes commitment wise."