Grayslake Central stuns Lakes

When Abbey Tadelman assumed head-coaching duties for Grayslake Central's softball team, she knew her work was cut out.

"Two years ago when I took over I saw that we had the potential as a program in that I saw a lot of people that wanted to play, but maybe weren't ready for the competitive side of it," Tadelman said. "But we talked a lot about turning this program into a competitive one and that's exactly what we've done."

The hard work has paid off, as the third-seeded Rams upset top-seeded Lakes 1-0 in the championship game of their own Class 3A regional Saturday.

Grayslake Central (11-24) next plays North Suburban Conference champ Antioch (31-2) in the Marengo sectional semifinals at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Lakes finished 23-11.

"We had a lot of incoming players who had a lot of talent and wanted to win," Tadelman said after being doused with a bucket of ice water. "Two years ago, we didn't have a solid turnout for girls. But the past two years, we had new girls come ready to play and we picked up several girls from the younger levels who could compete with the older girls and were ready to take on a new challenge"

One of the newcomers, senior Monika Wedick, pitched her second shutout of the regional. Wedick, who transferred from Evergreen Park last year, fired a 2-hitter. She struck out three and walked one.

"We just knew that (Lakes) had beat us twice during the regular season and we knew we had to come out with a good defense," Wedick said. "Everything was working with me, and my defense did a real good job.

"The first time she came here, we were pretty nervous and anxious to meet her," Rams shortstop Tory Dohm said. "Ever since then, we knew she was going to be a great player for us."

Lakes also received outstanding pitching, as sophomore Shannon Cooley scattered just 3 hits, including a double to Kelly Silver. The only run Cooley allowed was unearned. She fanned five and hit a batter.

"We played well, but we just didn't hit at all," Cooley said. "I think if we would have had some hits, we would have had a better chance to win."

The Rams scored the only run of the game in the top of the second inning. Dohm singled and Cooley hit Rachel Perkowitz. Shannon Sarillo bunted both runners up, and an errant throw allowed Dohm to score.

Lakes threatened to score in the first inning as Jasmine Rivera doubled but was stranded at second. In the second, Megan Massie singled and was stranded.

After Rivera walked in the third, Wedick retired the last 13 Eagles she faced.

"It was a bad day for us to pick not to hit," Lakes coach Bill Hamill said. "We hit all year long and today we didn't. We were anxious and we were early on our front foot, which caused us to pop up a lot of balls, which made it easy for them. It was a good game and Grayslake (Central) deserves all the credit."