Glenbard South sets sights on state
Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda doesn't hesitate to call this her team's toughest road to East Peoria.
But don't bet against the Raiders.
Glenbard South (30-3) begins its quest for a third straight trip to the state softball tournament this week. The Raiders are the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A Glenbard South sectional.
Top seed Riverside-Brookfield (29-3) features shortstop Jessie Hutchens, who set a school record with 12 homers and 60 runs batted in as of last week. No. 3 Trinity (28-6) beat Glenbard South 6-5 earlier in the season, and No. 5 Montini has won 16 of its last 20 games.
Only Glenbard South among the top five seeds can say it's played in East Peoria.
"This group just gets the job done," Fonda said. "They know what it takes, they've been in all kinds of situations this year and in the past. That's going to help us. We've been there. We have to let that experience speak for itself."
At the Class 4A Bolingbrook sectional Downers Grove South (26-6) is the top seed. With ace Katie Talbot complementing a potent lineup anchored by leadoff hitter Marissa Mersch the Mustangs have their best shot at state since placing fourth in 2007.
Getting out of Bolingbrook will be a bear, though.
No. 2 Downers Grove North (26-8) beat its cross-town rival during the season and has freshman pitcher Elaine Heflin back from injury. No. 3 Lockport and No. 5 Plainfield Central are never to be overlooked, No. 6 Naperville North (19-13) has Sammy Marshall and her 47 stolen bases to single-handedly generate offense and No. 7 Naperville Central (20-15) might have the sectional's best pitcher in Alyssa Wunderlich.
"There are so many teams that have had pretty good years that are stacked up there," Downers Grove South coach Ron Havelka said. "Even teams that didn't get a high seed are capable on a given day. I don't know if that's the case in other sports. It's very equal."
Neuqua Valley (23-10), led by seniors Jenna Marsalli and Colleen Hohman, will go for its first regional title since 2003 this week. No. 4 seed Neuqua beat No. 5 and regional host Plainfield Central in 14 innings in April.
"Hopefully, we can finally achieve that," Neuqua coach Elaina Tanaka said. "Our seniors, they know this is their last chance. We have to execute and take advantage of every opportunity we get."
DuPage County contenders at the Class 4A St. Charles North sectional will have to go through a formidable top two seeds in Elk Grove (31-4), No. 3 in the latest Daily Herald rankings, and second seed and No. 1 St. Charles North (29-3).
Glenbard West, which upset Elk Grove in regionals last year, gets first crack at the Grenadiers today.
No. 3 seed and DuPage Valley Conference champion West Chicago could get a chance to exorcise some postseason demons this week. No. 6 Bartlett (24-10), which upset West Chicago (24-9) in last year's regional final, could be waiting for the Wildcats if it gets by a red-hot Wheaton Warrenville South team today. WW South (19-14) has beaten both Glenbard North and West Chicago the last two weeks.
Two of the hardest-hitting lineups in the area could meet in the final of the Geneva regional. Lake Park (25-9) and Glenbard North (20-8) both have had their share of late-season struggles they will look to put behind this week.
Lake Park beat Glenbard North on a walk-off Samantha Becker homer back in March.
"I feel like we beat anybody," Lake Park coach Tom Mazzie said, "but if you're not going to play the perfect game you can't beat these teams. One through eight in our sectional, I wouldn't be shocked if anyone comes out. Everybody's had ups and downs except those top two teams."