Lisle softball team ready to make run at state title
It has been a good year for softball in the Lisle school district -- and it's only getting better.
This past June, Lisle High School advanced to the Class A state tournament. On Friday, Lisle Junior High School's team will travel to the Illinois Elementary School Association Class AA finals in Normal.
Lisle, in only its second year of softball at the junior high level, will play undefeated defending state champion Edwardsville Lincoln at 10 a.m.
"Everything has come together as a team," coach Nancy Schalk said. "It's been very enjoyable for all of them."
Lisle, which has a 16-3 record this season, is riding high on an 11-game winning streak. The Lady Lions beat Elmwood Park 2-0 on Sept. 8 in the regional semifinals, Glen Ellyn Hadley 10-0 on Sept. 10 for the regional title, then beat A.V. Martinez of Romeoville 11-0 in the sectional championship Saturday in Glendale Heights.
"Everything has come together at the right time," Schalk said, adding "all the teams in our regional are very tough. Somebody in our region usually makes it downstate."
Lisle pitcher Melanie Early has thrown three consecutive shutouts in the postseason. She struck out 10 batters in the sectional championship to earn her 13th win.
"She's very competitive and demanding -- a perfectionist," coach Rod Marino said. "She works very hard at our craft with her father."
Kellie Brennan and Gracie Riley each drove in runs in the regional semifinal game, and Brennan slugged a key two-out, three-run double in the third inning of the sectional final.
Schalk said parents tried to pioneer softball at Lisle Junior High for several years through the school board, and it finally got off the ground last year.
Some of the girls play as many as 105 games over the summer with traveling teams. Others not so much.
"After their season is over, it starts all over again," Schalk said. "They work together as a new group."
Lisle travels to play softball from Glendale Heights to Peotone and Frankfort to Minooka. Whatever school has room on their schedule.
Schalk said they are not fazed by meeting the defending state champs.
"They're ready to go," she said.
Team members include Early, Riley at catcher, third baseman Mackenzie Buchelt, shortstop Kelly Urban, second baseman Kaelin Laue, first baseman Emma Buchholz, infielder-outfielder Shelby Kretman, center fielder Julia Reed and Brennan in right field. Rounding out the team are Maggie Corrigan, Skyler Tomko, Christine Young, Alex DeCraene, Megan Dwyer, Abby Tarasewicz and Jessica Sedlacek. Coaches include Nancy Schalk, Marino and T.J. Schalk.
"We knew we had a great group of girls," Schalk said. "They've worked extremely hard and it's special when it pays off."