Perfect finish for Dolezal, Barrington in MSL
Perfection was the word of the day for Barrington’s softball team.
The Fillies ended a perfect season in the Mid-Suburban West with a perfect game from sophomore pitcher Keenan Dolezal.
Dolezal retired 21 straight batters before the Fillies got her the win in bottom of the seventh inning at the Fields of Dreams.
Barrington junior first baseman Katie Dehnert’s hard infielder grounder with two outs and the bases loaded brought home Erin Ward with the winning run.
The 1-0 victory gave Barrington its first West Division crown since 2009 and the 16th divisional crown in school history.
The Fillies (28-1) finished 16-0 in the West, 2 games ahead of Fremd (19-7, 14-2).
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Dehnert, whose big at-bat was followed by Loren Krzysko’s single to left, giving the Fillies the bases loaded with Krista Moore (reached on an error) at second and Ward (walk) on first.
“I knew Keenan was throwing a perfect game but I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t want to mess it up. She is an amazing pitcher, as is Cassidy (Kraimer, who is 7-0). I knew they would pull through for us.”
The Fillies became the sixth team to go undefeated in the MSL since it began the 16-game schedule in 1987. The Fillies did it 1994 and 2003 while others were Prospect in 1987, Hersey in 1992 and Conant in 2012.
Dolezal (21-1) was perfect for the first time in her two-year varsity career.
“What a terrific game played by both schools,” said Barrington coach Perry Peterson, who notched career win No. 647 to tie Casey-Westfield’s Denny Throneburg for seventh on the IHSA all-time list. “Keenan was masterful today but both pitchers were outstanding.”
Fremd ace Ashlynne Schwantz (18-4) had a no-hitter through 4 innings and did not give up an earned run.
Barrington’s first hit didn’t come until Morgan Olszewski singled to right center to lead off the fifth.
The Fillies had back-to-back two-out line drive singles to right by Raegan Fingerman and Maggie O’Hara in the sixth but Schwantz got out of the inning with a popout to third baseman Julie Josten.
“I thought they pitched real well and we pitched really well,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “It had to be an intense game to watch. But both pitchers did a real good job and it came down to execution.”
Dolezal executed the first perfect game of her career.
“Oh my gosh, this is the best thing ever,” said Dolezal after her gem. “The whole team was so motivated to have an perfect season (in the West).”
Dolezal’s sister Kiley, who was at Monday’s showdown, also threw a perfect game for Barrington when she was a sophomore on April 25, 2009 against Libertyville.
“I can’t do anything without my team,” Keenan added. “I wasn’t ever thinking about (the perfect game). I was always just thinking about getting the next out.”
Barrington will look for its next out on Thursday when it visits MSL East champion Buffalo Grove for the 40th annual league championship at 5 p.m.