Fillies a hit in season opener

Barrington's "up, up and away show" continued sky high Tuesday.

Coming off a school-record 30 home runs in 2007 -- fifth best on the IHSA all-time list -- the Fillies clubbed another pair over the fence in their season opener at the Fields of Dreams.

Senior shortstop M.J. Maropis and senior second baseman Jessica McGurn both clubbed 2-run homers to center field in an 8-run third inning as the Fillies posted a 9-1 victory over Zion Benton.

It was Barrington's first game since falling 1-0 to Normal Community in the Class AA state title game last June.

Tuesday's game was one of the quarterfinals of the eight-team Spring Fling Tourney played in temperatures hovering around 40 degrees.

"Our District 220 grounds crew did a tremendous job preparing the fields to allow these eight teams to play," said Fillies coach Perry Peterson, who began the Spring Fling four years ago. "The crew is to be commended for its effort."

The victory was the 750th for the Barrington softball program started by Pam Devins in 1969.

Maropis and McGurn each had 3 homers last season.

"Just following in that team's footsteps," said a smiling McGurn, who is also following in the footsteps of older sisters Lauren and Bridget in the Fillies' program.

Lauren was a catcher for former standout Samantha Deevy earlier this decade.

"I remember watching Lauren all the time when I was real little," said Jessica, who went 2-for-4 Tuesday with 2 runs. "I always wanted to be just like her."

The Fillies were just like they always seem to be at this time of the year -- strong in all areas.

While collecting 11 hits on offense, they also received a 6-hitter from junior pitcher Kim Cygan, who struck out seven and walked one.

"Kim did awesome," McGurn added. "She was so anxious to play. I'm very proud of her."

Cygan's batterymate, senior catcher Devinne Wapotish, also came to play Tuesday.

The senior receiver, batting No. 3, went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI and 2 runs.

Wapotish's right-field double brought home senior Lisa Shandley and freshman Colleen Shandley to cap the big third-inning rally.

Colleen Shandley, the Fillies leadoff batter, and classmate Kristin Kuhn went 2-for-4 in their varsity debuts.

Freshman first baseman Kiersten Tinkoff also had a hit.

McGurn loves her full time starting spot at second base along three-year starter Maropis.

"It's just an awesome feeling starting now every game at second base," she said. "I was so impressed with how all our seniors hit the ball this game.

"I liked the way our freshman stepped up and how all our slappers did such a nice job. They really put the ball in play which was good. With the ground being so muddy, the ball really stuck in the ground and made it hard for defenders. I was impressed by our whole team."

So was Zion-Benton coach Rick Reimer.

"They're a good team," he said. "We made 5 errors and I counted six mental errors. I think you'll see us come back and play better. We certainly look good on paper. We'll see if we can make that come through on the field."

Deerfield 8, Hersey 2: The Huskies had 3 hits in the contest, getting an RBI double from sophomore Alyssa Kieffer for 1 of the 2 runs.

Senior Lynn Lazzeretti also doubled in Huskies coach Molly Freeman's debut. Senior Melanie Standish had Hersey's other hit.

Hersey senior Mallory Donaghue went the first six innings while sophomore Kristy Johnson (1 strikeout, 0 hits) tossed the seventh.

"I was impressed how Kristy came in on a cold day and was focused and ready to go," Freeman said.

"We just made costly defensive mistakes which you can't have."

The Huskies scored once in the first and third innings.

"We came out swinging the bats in the first inning," Freeman added "We had some great hitting and good baserunning. But we've got to be able to do that the whole game."

Lake Zurich 1, Maine West 0 (8 innings):ΠLake Zurich's Katie Buczynski (14 strikeouts, 0 walks, 1 hit) and Maine West junior Emily Ott (12 strikeouts, 0 walks, 4 hits) hooked up in a terrific pitcher's duel before the Bears finally won in the bottom of the eighth on an error.

West had two runners reach base -- sophomore Kim Morales on an error in the fifth and senior Caryn McGinley with a leadoff single to left center in the eighth.

McGinely stole second but Buczynski struck out the next three batters.

"It was a great game," said Warriors coach Mike Murin, who was going against his alma mater where he played football.