Prairie Ridge ends South Elgin's season

The decision on when to pull a pitcher isn't easy.

It was even harder for South Elgin coach Jason Schaal after senior starter Cary Thereon had allowed just 2 hits and no runs in the first five innings against Prairie Ridge Wednesday. The Wolves, a strong offensive team, caught Thereon's timing and scored 3 runs in the sixth before Schaal made a change on the mound.

The change came a little too late as the Wolves scored another 2 runs and claimed a 5-3 victory in a semifinal game of the Class 4A Woodstock softball sectional, despite three retaliation runs from the Storm in the bottom of the sixth.

Prairie Ridge (32-6) awaits the winner of today's game between Huntley (24-12) and Rockton Hononegah (26-9) in Saturday's 10 a.m. sectional final.

"The hardest thing to do as a coach in a pitchers duel is make a change," Schaal said. "Any good hitting team is going to get the timing down. Prairie Rdige is a good hitting team and I believe we are a good hitting team."

South Elgin, which finishes tied for the school record for wins at 23-13, smacked Wolves' ace Johanna Turner (30-4) for 4 hits after South Elgin allowed 5 runs in the top of the inning. Sophomore Caitlin Stredde and center fielder Kimberly Pierce each notched singles to give the Storm baserunners and no outs. Cleanup hitter Lauren Vitiello did just that as she knocked a 3-run home run over the right field wall to make it a 5-3 game.

But after shortstop Courtney Bosteder singled, Turner and the Wolves retired the final 3 batters to get out of the inning.

"I was nervous when she hit the home run," Turner said. "I thought they were going to get more runs, but we held them"

Turner breathed a bigger sight of relief after Vitiello, who had also doubled earlier in the game, grounded the ball back to her in the seventh inning, which ended the game. South Elgin had runners at first and second when Vitiello grounded out.

"We were confident," said Stredde, who singled and was on second when Vitiello was up. "We never gave up."

Thereon (9-7) took the loss, allowing 3 earned runs off 3 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Vitiello, who came in relief with one out in the sixth, allowed 1 hit.

Prairie Ridge put up its 5 runs on 3 hits, but was aided with all 3 of South Elgin's errors in the sixth. Anna Patras got a leadoff double and scored, with No. 9 hitter Angie Rinn slamming a 2-run single. The double also included an error, which led to Danille Samuels crossing the plate and putting the Wolves up 5-0 before Vitiello struck Lexi Wachman out to end the inning.