DeKalb 5, Streamwood 4

For Streamwood pitcher Barb Posinger, the choice was clear cut.

Posinger knew she needed to take the circle in the Sabres' regional opener against DeKalb Tuesday instead of joining her fellow classmates on the senior field trip. And despite a tough 5-4 loss to the Barbs, Posinger is still sure she made the right decision.

"I though about going on the cruise," Posinger said. "It just felt wrong all the way around. I needed to stay for our team."

DeKalb will face No. 1 seed South Elgin (21-10) in Saturday's championship of the Class 4A Streamwood regional. Streamwood was an out away from being there.

After taking a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth, the Sabres (8-24) looked to lock the bottom half of the inning as third baseman Jenna Szabo went to toss out DeKalb pitcher Lisa Oller (13-5).

Oller collided with Streamwood first baseman Margo Vida, who according to coach Lindsay Mulay tagged Oller, but was called safe. The play allowed catcher Jennifer Butts to tie the game. DeKalb (17-11) scored the winning run when Brittany Heide singled in right fielder Marie Bodda.

"She was completely out," Vida said. "We got the rally in the fifth and it got us pumped. Unfortunately, we couldn't get back."

Oller retired the side in the sixth, but Posinger and Arielle Gallione each knocked a one-out single in the seventh as the Sabres looked to challenge late. Oller had other plans.

She ended the game striking out the next two batters and finished the game with 14 Ks.

But most of her damage came with her baserunning.

"My first baseman blocked it, it's a pretty clear call," Mulay said. "(After the call) They wanted it. It just didn't fall for us unfortunately. We weren't able to come back."

After trailing 3-0 going into the fifth, Streamwood got 5 of its 8 hits in the inning. Betsy Holman singled to start the inning and quickly advanced to third off of a pair of wild pitches.

Leadoff hitter Helene Eckler drove in Holman to make it 3-1. Catcher Delaney O'Malley made it 3-2 when she drove in Brianna Bogdajwicz, who reached base on a walk. Eckler and O'Malley gave the Sabres the lead when Posinger and Gallione drove them in, respectively.

Posinger (6-19) took the loss going all 7 innings, giving up 4 earned runs off of 9 hits.

"Barb is the backbone of our team," Mulay said. "In my eyes, she's our MVP. She's the face of our team."