Werling, Fremd make sweet music vs. Mundelein
Apparently, after going 3-for-3, reaching base four times and catching a 15-strikeout, six-inning pitching gem by Lena Brottman, Fremd senior Kristine Werling didn't feel she made enough noise in Tuesday's 10-0 regional semifinal win over No. 16-seeded Mundelein.
One hour later, she was playing the cello for the Fremd Symphony Orchestra in the school's auditorium.
"That's Fremd kids," said Vikings softball coach Jim Weaver of Werling, who ranks No. 1 in her senior class.
Werling is just one of many Vikings with soaring GPAs, including Brottman, who struck out the first 10 batters she faced and 11 of the first 12.
Top-seeded Fremd (28-4) advanced to its own Class 4A regional final Saturday at 11 a.m. and will face the winner's of today's 4:30 p.m. semifinal between No. 9 Prospect (13-18) and No. 8 Deerfield.
"I like pitching in the heat," said Brottman, referring to the humid and well-above-average May 25 temperature.
Brottman (25-2) sure threw some heat at Mundelein batters, who didn't hit a fair ball until junior Deanna Wise lined a double to right-center with one out in the top of the fourth.
The only three outs Fremd had to make in the field were a popout to shortstop Allie Gaeding, a flyout to center fielder Tess Dinterman and a popout to second baseman Lauren Zaworski.
"Its fun to get one or two balls out there," Dinterman said. "But Lena is so good, that sometimes it rarely happens."
Sophomore Caitlin Patenaude collected the game-winning RBI when she singled up the middle with one out in the bottom of the second inning to drive in Kelly Voigt and Megan Hubbard, who had both walked.
Teammate Alexa Cinquegrani went 2-for-3, reaching base three times.
"I've got to give Fremd all the credit," said Mundelein coach Ted Juske. "They hit the ball well, they pitched well. They are a great team. But like all season, we did not put ourselves in a position to succeed."
"It was good to see our freshmen (Hayle Morelli, Chloe Peterson and Erin Kennelly) all step up and experience softball at a higher level."
Morelli produced the second hit for Mundelein (7-25) in the fifth inning on a one-out single to center.
"Lena pitched well and offensively we took advantage of what they gave us (6 errors, 2 walks)," Weaver said.
"We didn't help ourselves with the errors," Juske said. "And she (Brottman) was one of the best pitchers we've seen."
"Lena did a great job," Werling said. "She was hitting her spots and feeling good. Everything was working for her."
Elk Grove 4, Glenbard West 2: Top-seeded Elk Grove (32-4) scored 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the win over No. 15 Glenbard West in the Grenadiers' regional.
Elk Grove plays the winner of the today's semifinal between No. 8 Conant (21-11) and No. 9 Schaumburg (23-10) for Saturday's 11 a.m. title.
Katie Keegan started the rally after one out by reaching on an error.
Krista Soesbe singled to left to put runners on the corners before Stephanie Maday singled home Keegan to tie the game at 2-2.
Soesbe came home on a wild pitch of a 3-2 lead before Becca Walz singled to center to score courtesy runner Caitlin Kronforst for an insurance run.
Sophomore Dani Goranson (17-2) did not allow a hit in the final 3 innings to get the win, while Stephanie Maday (15-2) went the first 4 innings, allowing only 1 hit and striking out three. Goranson also doubled.
Junior Jessica Balzano singled in her second at-bat to keep alive a 34-game hitting streak that tied the area record set earlier this season by Rolling Meadows' Maryclare Loughery.
Barrington 10, Hersey 0 (6 innings): Junior Kiley Dolezal (28-5) threw a 1-hitter with 8 strikeouts as No. 2 Barrington (31-5) advanced to Saturday's championship of the Highland Park regional. The Fillies meet the winner of today's semifinal between No. 10 Buffalo Grove (18-17) and No. 7 Stevenson.
Junior Colleen Shandley (3-for-4, 3 runs) broke the school record for single-season hits. She has 69, surpassing the mark of 68 set by Erin Lernihan in 2004.
The Fillies' Liz Owen belted a homer, while Jordan Wekony was 3-for-4 with 2 runs and a stolen base.
Stacey Schmiederer's fifth-inning leadoff single was the only hit for Hersey (12-25).
Kim Ferraro was the only other baserunner for the No. 15 Huskies when she walked as the second batter of the game.
St. Viator 7, Wheaton Academy 0: St. Viator junior Julie Sweeney recorded her 13th victory of the season with a 2-hitter and 9 strikeouts in the semifinals of the Class 3A Hampshire regional.
The No. 1 Lions will face the winner of today's semifinal between No. 2 Wheaton St. Francis and No. 3 Burlington Central for the title at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Melanie Slawny and Alex Flasch tripled for the Lions. Teammates Abby Dickey (3 RBI) and Tayler Lenart (2 RBI) had doubles and Slawny (RBI), Presslak and Tayler Lenart had 2 hits apiece.