Softball: Warren returns to sectional final with dramatic win over Glenbrook North
Warren’s senior class was just freshmen the last time the Blue Devils advanced to the sectional final. With a 10-9 nail-biting victory over Glenbrook North on Wednesday in the Class 4A Glenbrook North sectional semifinal, the Blue Devils will vie for their second sectional title in four years.
“We got bounced out in the regional final last year, which we hadn’t done in a while,” Warren coach Jenna Charbonneau said. “It really means a lot for this team, this group of seniors. They put in four years of hard work, and in the offseason, they’re always working. I know it means a ton for them. Just happy for them that they’re back in this spot and trying to get another one.”
Entering the top of the sixth with a 7-5 deficit, the Blue Devils posted a 5-run sixth inning to take the lead and never looked back.
Warren got the scoring going early with a run in the top of the first, but the Spartans were quick to respond with a run of their own to make it 1-1 entering the second inning.
After neither team scored in the second, Warren extended its lead in the top of the third. With two outs on the scoreboard, Norah Howell hit a 2-run home run to right-center field.
“I try not to look at the scoreboard unless I can hear somebody screaming at me,” Howell said. “I try to tune it all out. Especially with my home runs, I never know if it’s over. I will always try to run straight out to first base. I have confidence in myself that I can hit it hard.”
Glenbrook North responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-3 lead. Lexi Steres hit a 3-RBI double, and a few at-bats later, a teammate brought Steres home. However, the Blue Devils evened the contest in the top of the fourth with two runs.
The Spartans struck back in the bottom of the fourth. Molly McAnally hit a 2-run home run to right center field to bring the lead to 7-5.
The Blue Devils' sixth inning proved critical. Warren piled on five runs in the span of just three batters. Howell, who tallied two RBI in the sixth inning, finished the contest going 3-of-5 at the plate, with 5 RBI, 1 run, 1 home run and a double.
“Norah doesn’t have a lot of holes in her swing, so it’s really to pitch around her,” Charbonneau said. “You pitch her inside, she’ll pull it to the left. You pitch her outside, she’ll put it down right on the line. I think we saw both of those today.”
Warren had the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but it couldn’t add onto its 10-8 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Blue Devils pitcher Camryn Guldberg faced the bases loaded with just one out, threatening the team’s place in the sectional final. Though the Spartans tacked on one run, Guldburg threw a strikeout and followed by forcing a flyout to right field to secure the team’s slot in the sectional final against Mundelein on Saturday morning.
“Really happy for (Camryn). She’s a senior, worked really hard. She’s a leader of ours. Got a couple tough breaks, but she stayed the course. She pitched her best. That’s all we can ask for — that you go out there and pitch your best. She got it done.”