Softball: Taraschewsky, Barrington prevail over Palatine in battle of MSL division leaders

The two Mid-Suburban League softball division leaders, who had a combined record of 27-1, faced off Tuesday at the Fields of Dreams in Barrington.

The Fillies, No. 1 in the Daily Herald Top 20 and leaders in the West (19-0, 5-0) , were up to the challenge on their home field where they took a 5-0 triumph over the Pirates (10-2, 4-0), No. 3 in the rankings and front-runners in the East.

"It's surreal," said junior shortstop Shaylee Hiser, who had the game-winning RBI single in the fourth inning. "We're just having a heck of a season and I just hope we keep it going. We have the girls to do it. This was a good matchup, a good challenge for us. You can see how well we really work together especially when we play good teams like them."

Ace junior right-hander Katie Taraschewsky earned her 18th win without a loss and 76th of her career, moving her to third place on Barrington's all-time list. She struck out seven while tossing a 2-hitter without a walk.

The game was scoreless through three innings.

Palatine had a big chance in the top of the fourth when Eliza Piecuch and Quinn Schwartz led off with back-to-back singles to center and left.

After a 6-5 force play at third, the runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball.

But Taraschewsky, who was perfect after three innings, got out of it with a 1-2 fielder's choice and a grounder to Hiser, who stepped on second base for the inning-ending force out.

Barrington also put its first two runners on base in the bottom of the inning. Harlow Engel beat out an infield hit and Taraschewsky reached on an outfield error.

Madi Van Ryn's fly out to right got Engel to third before pinch runner Vivian Bernardi stole second.

Hiser then delivered her big low line-drive single down the right field line to bring home both runners. Hiser took a nice cut at a low inside fastball.

"I just kind of learn from my teammates," Hiser said. "We just have to learn to attack the lower pitch and then we'll have success with that.“

After a walk to Zwolinski, the runners stole second and third base before Woldman (8-1) struck out the next two batters. She finished with 11 for the game.

The Fillies added 3 more runs in the bottom of the fifth when Lianna Maggio led off with a double to left and scored when Nina Brebach reached on an infield error.

Two batters kater, Taraschewsky belted her fourth homer of the season, a towering shot to dead center field which made it 5-0.

"They're a great team and they put the ball in play," said Palatine coach Janalee Lyke. "We didn't make the plays that we normally make and we need to make them. That's what cost us the game. Those are plays the next time we see them we're going to make."

Barrington had 6 hits, led by Van Ryn's 2-for-2 performance and a tremendous leaping grab in right field to rob cleanup hitter Sammie Kendrick of extra bases.

"It was a terrific game," said Fillies coach Perry Peterson, owner now of 1,025 career wins. "Both teams were playing their hardest. Both pitchers were doing a nice job out there. You've got to break through with the little things, so give our kids credit. They stepped up when they had to and I'm proud of them."

Piecuch and Schwartz had the only hits for the Pirates.

"We put the ball in play and I'm excited to play them again and have another shot at them," said Lyke, who was without third baseman Jenna Hubert, who has three home runs this spring (out with a muscle strain in her calf). "We're just trying to give Jenna rest now and get her healthy.

"Mia (Woldman) pitched a great, great game. They are a difficult team to pitch to and I think she did a great job. We've just got to back her up next time."