Softball: Taraschewsky breaks Barrington’s win record in Fillies’ sectional title win over Huntley

For Katie Taraschewsky, how sweet it is.

Barrington's senior ace hurler became the winningest pitcher in program history Saturday in a Sweet Sixteen game of the IHSA state softball tournament held at the Fields of Dreams.

Getting her 32nd win of the season against no losses in a 2-0 shutout against longtime postseason rival Huntley (26-9) at the Barrington Class 4A sectional, Taraschewsky could have only dreamed of that when she started in the program.

"To be honest, I never thought about this until we got halfway through this season," said Taraschewsky, now 91-10, who broke the record of Keenan Dolezal (90-21 from 2012 to 2015). "It's insane. I have to thank 100% of it for trusting my defense. I know they'll get it done behind me. And I just throw."

"Hats off to Katie," said Huntley veteran coach Mark Petryniec of the right-hander who tossed a 5-hitter with 5 strikeouts and also went 2-for-4 at the plate. "She did an awesome job in the circle. She held us at bay. We had a couple of chances there and we just couldn't get it in. They executed. They touched that white thing two more times than us and they get to go on."

The Fillies (36-0) go on to the Northern Illinois University supersectional in DeKalb where they will face defending 4A state champion Oswego (21-11) at 4 p.m. Monday with a berth in the state's final four at stake.

Oswego defeated Barrington 4-1 in last year's 4A state title game.

"It's been 358 days since we played them,“ said Barrington hall of fame coach Perry Peterson, who led the Fillies to a sectional for the 16th time and 17th in program history. "We've got to keep the pressure on them. We can do this."

Barrington was playing Huntley for the 10th straight time in the postseason on Saturday. The Fillies are now 7-3 in that stretch.

"I was joking with Perry about how when this rivalry is all said and done, we need an ESPN 30-30 on us," Petryniec said with a laugh. "I don't know if there are two programs who have gone up against for 10 straight years."

"This game was no different than the first one we played against them 10 years ago," added Peterson, whose Fillies also defeated Huntley 2-0 in last year's sectional final and scored both runs in the fifth inning. "Just two great programs competing at the highest level in the local area. It's a great game every time we play them. I have so much respect for Mark and what he does. It's (rivalry) so good. This game could have gone to them, it could have gone to us. It just bounced our way."

It started to go the Fillies' way in the top of the fifth when shortstop Shaylee Hiser began the one-out rally with a bunt single. Junior catcher Emma Zorzy followed with a hard shot up the middle for runners in first and second.

Ava Glosny's dribbler in front of the plate advanced the runners to second and third bringing Liana Maggio to the plate.

The Fillies' leadoff batter promptly singled sharply up the middle to score Hiser for the game's first run.

A 12-foot dribbler in the front of the plate by senior Nina Brebach (3-for-3) resulted in an infield single and brought home pinch runner Erin Costello from third base for the 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, big trouble appeared to be looming for the Fillies when the Red Raiders produced three straight singles to left field after one out.

However, Taraschewsky induced the next batter to pop to second baseman Morgan Donahue, who ran in hard to make the catch and then fired a strike to third baseman Maggio for the force out to end the big threat.

"We have strong-armed kids on the infield and the greatest part of it is that five of the six come back next season," Peterson said. "The defense can throw it around pretty well. Katie's teammates were making great contributions behind her and the nice double play helped. That was a momentum switch. And Katie is just gritty. She is tough at what she does."

Barrington had another good chance in the sixth inning with Izzy Zwolinski (double) and Madi Van Ryn on with one out but Huntley ace Layla Olson (5 strikeouts) got a strikeout and groundout to third baseman Grace Benson to get away unscathed.

"I could not ask for anything more from Layla (also 2-for-3 at the plate) on the mound," Petryniec said. "She has continued to step up and the last two games she pitched her behind off for us, giving us every opportunity to be successful. We've watched the progression she is going through and she is a true No. 1 right now."

"I thought their pitcher was fantastic," Peterson added.

Petryniec hopes the rivalry continues to be the fantastic one it has been.

"We graduate 10 seniors," he said. "We have six players coming back. Everyone always says Huntley is rebuilding. No. We'll do everything we can do to be right back in the same spot next season and so will he (Peterson). We have respect for their program and hopefully they'll get downstate and get it done."