Softball: In the long run, Libertyville battles past Hersey
After only three batters had come to the plate in Wednesday's Class 4A softball sectional semifinal at Buffalo Grove, Hersey already held a 2-0 lead over top-seed Libertyville.
The Wildcats though, despite being down, didn't seem overly concerned.
"We started a little slow," said Libertyville second baseman Sam Hilldale, "but we knew they (Hersey) were going to come out with a lot of energy.
"We picked it up as the game went on."
The Wildcats did just that, as starting pitcher Hannah Heraty put Libertyville up for good with a long home run in the third inning.
Heraty allowed only 4 Hersey hits in going the distance as the Wildcats won 9-2. Libertyville awaits the winner of Thursday's semifinal between Warren an Zion-Benton in Saturday's 11 a.m. sectional title game.
"We were ready," said Heraty. "We had to fight our way back into it after we got down."
"We found our energy, and when we focus on doing the little things, we play well."
Heraty pounded out 3 hits for the winners, adding a double and a single to go along with her homer.
Katie Wingerter had 2 hits for the Huskies.
"Libertyville is a great team," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman, "but when you get to the sectionals, all you're going to see is great teams.
"I thought our kids gave a great effort today. Win or lose, I'm proud of these girls."
After Hersey (19-15) first baseman Kim Labahn drove in 2 runs in the first inning with a double, Libertyville cut into the lead in the second on an RBI from Sam Hilldale.
Then the Wildcats (29-7) scored four times in the third to take a 5-2 lead, highlighted by a home run way over the center field fence from Heraty.
"We've worked really hard to get to this point," said Hilldale. "We were singing on the bus ride over here we were so excited to play.
"We were pumped up and wanted to come out strong."
Libertyville scored 3 more times in the fifth as Heraty and Lyndsey Lyon opened the frame with hits and both came around to score.
An insurance run in the sixth followed, and Heraty set the Huskies down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to earn the win.
Emily Hilldale had 2 singles for Liberrtyville, while Franny Quenan hit a single and a double.
The Wildcats knocked out 12 hits in the contest, while Jodie Hermann got the only other base knock for Hersey.
"To win in the sectionals," said Freeman, "you got to hit early and often. We hit early, but we couldn't sustain it. Our hitting just died after the first inning."