Softball: Barrington’s bats come alive, now 35-0

Barrington softball coach Perry Peterson hasn't been exactly thrilled with his team's hitting the last few days.

Well, the Fillies showed their veteran coach they meant business Tuesday when they opened play in their own Class 4A sectional Tuesday at the Fields of Dreams.

Going up against 18-2 junior ace Irelyn O'Brien, the Mid-Suburban League champions scored 3 runs in the first inning and never looked back in a 6-1 triumph over Rockton Hononegah (29-7).

The Fillies (35-0) will face Huntley (27-8) in Saturday's championship at 11 a.m.

Junior Liana Maggio led off the bottom of the first with a double over the left fielder's head that ignited the 3-run rally.

Maggio came home with the first run when No. 2 hitter Nina Brebach reached on an infield error and went to second base.

After Indians O'Brien got the next two batters on a popout and groundout, Madi Van Ryn singled to left to get Brebach home for the 2-0 lead. Van Ryn then stole second base and scooted home when Izzy Zwolinski reached on an infield error making it 3-0.

"Those 3 runs were really important," said Maggio, who went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

"I feel it's hard to come back from 3 runs so I was really excited when we scored those. I was just really set on staying positive and doing it for the team. It's not just about me, it's about the whole team. I just wanted to do it for the team and keep it going."

The Fillies kept things going in the second inning with back-to-back singles to left field by Lilly Goshe and Maggio and a sacrifice bunt by Brebach that gave the Fillies runners at second and third with two outs.

O'Brien got out of the jam with a groundout to shortstop Kaelyn Kelly.

No. 9 hitter Karley Weber then got the Indians on the board with her third homer of the season, a one-out blast over the left center field fence.

But that would be the only run and hit that Barrington ace Katie Taraschewsky would surrender. The senior right-hander (31-0) tied the program record for wins set by Keenan Dolezal (90-21) from 2012 to 2015.

“Katie is the glue of what we do," Peterson said. "She does a really nice job and I am super proud of her. She battles for us."

"They were a really good team," Taraschewsky said. “But I was just trusting what I throw and trusting my defense."

And the offense did its job, giving Tarashewsky more insurance in the fifth and sixth innings.

Shortstop Izzy Zwolinski had a big two-out, 2-run single in the fifth driving in Harlow Engel and Vivian Bernardi. who were sacrificed to second and third with a perfect sacrifice bunt from Madi Van Ryn.

Barrington extended the lead to 6-1 in the sixth when pinch-hitter Ava Glosny tripled to the right field corner and then came home on Maggio's double to left field.

""Liana has had multiple 4-hit games," Peterson said. "She's a gamer. She's one of the best kids we have. It's just a matter of staying focused and doing her job, and today she was excellent."

Hononegah coach Kurt Head said he knew his Indians had a tough task.

"(Falling behind 3-0) wasn't the game plan but you have to give credit to that team," Head said. "They put the ball in play, put pressure on you and make things happen. That's why they are the team they are and they have a hall of fame coach with Perry leading it and you know it's always going to be a tough ballgame."

Peterson liked how his team was tough on offense.

"I think we have worked really hard to make some improvements and try to address that this is the playoffs and this is what you need to accomplish," Peterson said. "We had double-digit hits and hit some long balls, too. It was an impressive day in the batter's box for our group against a really good pitcher who hasn't lost much and has been dominating in recent games."

O'Brien, a Trine University (IN) pledge, had a 1.28 ERA coming into the game.

"She had an unbelievable junior year," Head said. "Obviously, being a little selfish as the coach, it's great to know I have her coming back. A lot of these kids are coming back. So next year I am hoping we have another opportunity like we had today. It's a really good group of girls. Unfortunately, they were the better team today. You've got to tip your cap to them."