Softball: Barrington rolls past Lake Zurich
Barrington coach Perry Peterson has never seen senior Gina Magro compete on ice.
But he knows what she can do on the softball field.
And he saw it Thursday.
The first-year varsity player, also a standout hockey player, went 2-for-2 with 4 RRI and her first career home run to help lead the Fillies to a 12-2 five-inning victory over Lake Zurich in the semifinals of the Barrington Spring Fling.
"We are really counting on Gina to have a good season," said Peterson about the hockey winger who is coming off a good season where she scored nearly 20 goals for her high school team this winter.
Magro hit less than 5 homers in her first three seasons on the underlevel softball teams.
But she showed her power quickly this season.
Her 2-run blast over the right-center field fence made it 4-0 in the bottom of the first and she added a 2-run single to left in the Fillies' 3-run fourth inning.
"I've been weight training with coach Jenna (Horcher) and getting stronger for the season," said the Wisconsin-Stevens hockey recruit who also plays for Team Illinois.
Classmate Katherine Stagnito (2-for-3) also helped the offense big time, belting a 2-run homer over the left-field fence in the second inning for a 7-0 lead.
In all, the Fillies (2-0) had 6 extra base hits and 11 total.
"I think it's the energy in the dugout," said Stagnito, the Fillies' leadoff batter and fine-fielding shortstop. "Everyone is fired up and making sure we're doing the best cheers we can."
The Fillies' fans were able to cheer for senior Barbara Covek on the mound. The right-hander (2-0) tossed a 6-hitter with 3 strikeouts.
Four of the hits came the from the Bears' No. 2 and 3 hitters. Julia Zaucha and Elizabeth Childiakis each went 2-for-3 while Nina Kolb and Bears starter Stephanie Keefe (1-1) had the other hits.
"We are learning as a team," said LZ coach Kelly Cummings Hardbarger, a former Prospect and Buffalo University standout. "We're trying to play with heart. Some of our girls got on base but we left too many runners on. We have to keep moving forward every game."
Sophomore Maura Ginn threw the final 1⅔ innings for the Bears (1-1), allowing 1 run with 1 strikeout.
"I thought Maura came in and did a phenomenal job,' Hardbarger said. "We'll be using both pitchers.
"We've got some work to do. But we were playing our second game and they're a great team. I give it to Perry (Peterson). He always has great teams."
The game ended when sophomore Jackie Albrecht's one-out bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right scored Kendall Peterson (2-for-3, double) in the bottom of the fifth.
Samantha Murphy went 2-for-3 for the Fillies from the cleanup spot with an RBI double in the first inning. Freshman Brynn Nevers also doubled for Barrington.