Softball: McMahon, Barrington advance to sectional title game with 4-1 victory
Long at-bats, clutch hitting and a terrific effort in the pitcher's circle from senior Catherine McMahon.
All those positives added up to a 4-1 victory for top-seeded Barrington over Machesney Park Harlem in the semifinals of the Class 4A Huntley sectional on Tuesday afternoon.
The Fillies (32-3) will take on the winner of Wednesday's game between Huntley and McHenry for the sectional championship at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"We had some really good, long at-bats and we were able to knock their starting pitcher out of the game," said Barrington coach Perry Peterson. "We got the clutch hits, had good approaches at the plate, kept adding on runs and Catherine (McMahon) was outstanding.
"She really mixed her pitches well. She is a senior and she really wants this. We had great contributions from a lot of different people. Compliments to Harlem - I was totally impressed with their team. We need to go back to work at practice and get better."
In 7 innings of work, McMahon (16-1) struck out seven while walking two in a complete-game victory. The senior scattered 6 singles and gave up a sixth-inning run.
"I was really mixing my pitches and working the different zones," McMahon said. "I was just trying to keep their hitters off balance. This run in the playoffs is so exciting."
The Fillies struck first in the second inning with a run-scoring single from No. 9 hitter Katherine Stagnito to take a 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, following an intentional walk to Leyden Atlas, Rachel Mori made the Huskies pay with an RBI single for Barrington's second run of the game.
Abbey Jacobsen's RBI single in the fourth gave Barrington a 3-0 lead.
The Fillies chased Harlem starter and loser Elle Adams (22-7) after 3⅔ innings. Barrington got 3 runs and 5 hits off Adams. The Fillies worked her for 5 walks and struck out only once.
Barrington added an insurance run in the sixth on a RBI double by lead off hitter Jenna Patino.
Patino led the Fillies' offensive attack with a 3-for-4 effort with 2 doubles, a RBI and 1 run.
"Jenna is a great lead-off hitter ," Peterson said. "She really makes good things happen, gets on base and always has good at bats."
Stagnito added 2 hits for the Fillies with a RBI and 1 run.
Harlem's only run came in the sixth inning on a RBI single by Kristin Fudge.
McKenzie Lawrence delivered 2 hits for the Huskies.
Madliyn Fajardo came on in relief of Adams, allowing 1 run on 3 hits in 2⅓ innings of work. She struck out one with no walks.