Grayslake North targets more postseason history

Zero for the state tournament in its history before this year, Grayslake North’s softball team has no target on its back.

Knights coach Molly Jones serves as a moving target for Kristi Gandy, however.

Locked up in a pitchers duel with a fellow junior ace, Megan Meline of Vernon Hills, during Wednesday’s Class 3A Grayslake Central sectional semifinal, Gandy smacked one of the hardest-hit balls of the day.

She nearly pegged Jones, who was standing wide of third base in foul territory.

Jones sighed and laughed.

Gandy giggled.

“That was like the fifth time I’ve done that this year,” Gandy said with a sheepish smile.

For the 22nd time this season, Grayslake North left the field smiling. Gandy, as she has been most of this season, was a hit.

Her 3-hitter bested Meline’s 3-hitter, as the Knights won 3-0.

Vernon Hills, which surrendered 2 unearned runs in the fourth, finished its first season under coach Steve Korney at 25-10.

“(Grayslake North) was better than us,” Korney said. “They made some plays.”

Grayslake North (22-10), which has 3 wins in the postseason after having none in its first four years, advances to Saturday’s 11 a.m. sectional final. The Knights will play the winner of today’s 4 p.m. semifinal between Antioch (26-8) and Marengo (28-9).

“My heart’s still beating really fast,” Jones said after another deep sigh.

“Everyone is so excited,” Gandy said. “I think because we all like each other so much, we work well together and we communicate.”

The Knights’ teamwork paid dividends in the pivotal bottom of the fourth.

With Meline having retired the first nine batters she faced, Jordyn Bowen led off for Grayslake North by legging out what Jones called a “sneaky” bunt. Brianna Leon then bunted, and both she and Bowen were safe when Bowen beat the throw to second. Kelsey Borders made it three bunts in a row, and when the throw to third sailed down the left-field line, both Bowen and Leon raced home.

“We had some long swings in the beginning of the game, so we adjusted a little bit,” Jones said. “We told them to swing short and quick, and put the ball in play.”

Done.

“All season long we’ve been emphasizing the small ball and using it when we can to get ahead if teams are struggling,” Leon said. “(Tuesday) we actually worked on bunting at the end of practice, so I think that drill really helped us. That kind of simulated pressure situations based on the structure of the drill.”

The 2 runs were more than enough for Gandy, whose only real trouble came in the seventh after she issued a leadoff walk to Michelle Harris.

After Leon squeezed her fourth putout in center field, an infield error gave Vernon Hills runners on first and second. Caitlin Sernett then hit a groundball to shortstop Bowen, who bobbled the ball, which trickled behind her.

As Harris rounded third and dashed for home, Bowen retrieved the ball and threw a strike to catcher Brooke Tracy, who tagged out Harris.

Bowen’s presence of mind and composure impressed the opposing coach.

“What I preach to our kids is, ‘Finish the play. Don’t give up on it. Just because you didn’t get the first out, maybe there’s another out,’ ” Korney said. “(Grayslake North) executed.

“I sent (Harris) when the player bobbled it,” Korney added. “By the time I said, ‘No, no, no. Stop,’ she had already gotten past me. That’s my fault.”

Gandy ended the game with her sixth strikeout.

“Kristi’s really got the speed going for herself, but she also moves the ball incredibly well,” Leon said. “She always stays calm and collected on the mound, and that’s really important for the rest of us.”

The pitcher deflected credit, instead tossing it to her batterymate, Tracy.

“Brooke is the one who actually calms us all down and directs traffic,” Gandy said.

Gandy contributed at the plate, too. After whistling that foul ball past her coach, the Knights’ cleanup hitter ripped a single into left field, scoring Leon, who had led off with a single.

Meline (19-7), who tweaked her back during the game, struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter.

“She pitched great,” Korney said. “Her back was hurting, and she fought through that. I considered taking her out about the fourth inning, but I knew she was our best option.”