Softball: Hersey, Barrington take aim at little things in big MSL matchup

Since Hersey last played in a Mid-Suburban League championship softball championship, Barrington has appeared in ten title games.

"We know they have experience," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman, who guided the Huskies to their first MSL division crown since 1995 when she was as an all-area outfielder at Fremd. "They do all the little things right and they don't make mistakes."

Those are the same traits that helped Freeman's Huskies (22-6, 11-5) earn their own spot in Thursday's 44th renewal of the title game against visiting Barrington (30-3, 15-1), which has been ranked in the Class 4A top ten all season.

The two teams met in April with the Fillies earning a 13-2 win behind junior pitcher Catherine McMahon (19-1).

"That game means nothing," said Barrington coach Perry Peterson said. "We start 0-0 this game."

The Huskies start the game with the league's top home run hitter.

Senior Katie Wingerter has put 18 over the fence this spring and also had a career high 42 in her four years as the Huskies standout shortstop.

The Northern Illinois recruit is quite aware that the Fillies have sluggers as well.

"We know they can hit," she said. "So it is up to us to make the plays and be clean on defense."

"We've got to play defense," Freeman stressed. "We can always rely on our bats but we really need to be solid on the defensive end,"

Rachel Krzysko is one of the top defensive outfielders in the league. While playing right field, she has been a threat all season to take away potential hits by throwing strikes to the first base.

The Purdue recruit also hits with power in the No. 2 position of the batting order.

For Krzysko and her fellow seniors, it's their first time in the title game.

Krzysko's sister Loren starred on the 2013 Fillies championship team that defeated Buffalo Grove in the title game.

"It's exciting to be able to play in this game and have the opportunity to play at Hersey," Rachel said. "I've only heard about it from my sister (Loren who now plays at Arkansas) and Coach P (Peterson who is making his 13th appearance in a title game with 10 wins)."

Krzysko is joined on the Fillies roster by classmates Haley Luczak (first base) and Winona State recruit Carly Kordich (center field).

Juniors on the roster include Abbey Jacobsen (catcher), Catherine McMahon (pitcher), Caroline Hoppe (pitcher), Jenna Patino (second base), Julia Kozar (shortstop), Rachel Mori (infielder) and Jessica Bellis (outfielder).

Sophomores are Kendall Peterson (third baseman), Tori Meyer (pitcher, outfielder), Leyden Atlas (outfielder) and Katherine Stagnito (courtesy runner).

"We look forward to playing in the MSL title game," Peterson said. "It's been four years since we've been in. It's a great day and it's a great opportunity for our school to showcase the talents we have in the sport of softball."

Hersey was in the showcase event many times in the 1980s and 1990s.

In fact, they played in it six straight times from 1985 to 1990 under coach Nancy Holmgren, who was also in charge of the 1995 team when she was assisted by current Hersey girls basketball coach Mary Fendley.

Freeman is assisted by former East Leyden pitcher Jessica Franco.

The Huskies' primary pitchers this spring have been Sarah Bailitz (10-1) and Brianna Luciano (12-4), a pair of right-handed sophomores.

One other sophomore on the roster is lead off batter and outfielder Makayla Tsagalis. Seniors includes Remy Gerew (infielder), Jackie Bednar (catcher), Maddie Flynn (first baseman), Sophia Cano (outfielder) and Kaitlyn Denten (pitcher).

Juniors include Hannah Graff (second baseman), Jodie Hermann (outfielder) and Asia Luboyeski (outfield).

They have helped Hersey to its winningest season in Freeman's 10 seasons.

"We have to go out and do the same things as Barrington - the little things and not making mistakes," Freeman said. "We have to give them our best. If we do that, I think it will be a fun game."

Barrington was having fun with its second-longest winning streak in school history (21 in a row) until it fell 4-1 to Lyons (4 innings due to time limit) in its own inaugural Greg Easter Invite last weekend.

The Fillies' third loss came three days later to Schaumburg 5-3.

"We need to make sure we bring all facets of the game," said Peterson, who has Mike Freese across the diamond coaching first base. "We certainly respect our opponent and know they are a talented team from the East Division. We've got to make sure that we come ready to hit, field and pitch at the highest level we can."