Glenbard South wins in bottom of 7th
Glenbard South right fielder Rachel Cohen never lost her perspective or her focus.
“It’s redemption,” Cohen said after scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. “I totally messed up the game out there, and to come in here and score the winning run, it’s unbelievable.”
Cohen’s run gave the Raiders a 2-1 victory against upset-minded St. Francis on Thursday in a Class 3A sectional semifinal in Wheaton.
The Raiders (26-5) led 1-0 and had the Spartans down to their last strike in the seventh inning when Lauren Gorski sent a sinking pop-up to short right field, reaching on an error as Aly Germanos scored the tying run from third base.
“I just totally messed up out there and I come in and everybody’s supporting me,” Cohen said. “It’s just really great.”
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Cohen was hit by a pitch and went to second base on Brianna Meath’s walk. That brought Hannah Davey to the plate.
“I’ve played with her for years, so I had confidence in her,” Cohen said. “I just knew that she was going to put it down or get a hit. Of course I was worried, but I had faith in her.”
Cohen’s faith was in the right place. Davey doubled just inside third base, scoring Cohen and ending the game.
“I’ve actually been in a slump lately, so that was good,” Davey said. “It was crazy. I was jumping up and down going to second, It was so exciting, this rush through my body.”
“It was a good game,” Spartans coach Ralph Remus added. “I’m very proud of the kids. We battled all the way. We didn’t get our heads down when we fell behind. The last at-bat and they scored. No shame.
“I don’t like to lose, but my kids played a great game. I’m very proud of them, and Glenbard’s got a nice team. Personally, I hope they go all the way and win state now, make us look better.”
It was a thrilling finish to a pitchers’ duel. Taylor Ronchetto (21-4) shut out Glenbard South for four innings until Meath stole a run in the fifth.
“Taylor pitched phenomenally,” Raiders coach Julie Fonda said. “She kept us off balance.”
Raiders pitcher Jess Wilkes (18-3) held the Spartans to just two singles and the unearned run.
“Jess had a phenomenal game,” Fonda added. “Her ball moved tremendously, but Jess pitched great. (Catcher Jackie Wrona) called a tremendous game as well. They’re a great duo. They work well really together. The nice thing is Jess just trusts Jackie to say here’s the moment, hit this spot and we’ll get this girl.”
The Raiders take on Nazareth at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis in the sectional final.