Softball: Downers Grove South runs regional streak to six

Downers Grove South has many attributes that have led it to a 30-win softball season so far. One of those attributes is a solid hitting lineup from one to nine.

It was on display Saturday afternoon as the lower half of the order came through big to push the Mustangs to a 3-0 Class 4A regional final victory over host Plainfield North.

It was the program's sixth consecutive regional championship. Downers South (30-2), a sectional second seed, returns to Plainfield North on Wednesday for a sectional semifinal against sixth-seeded Wheaton Warrenville South.

"Lately, the lower half of the lineup has been very clutch," said Mustangs coach Jim Cushing. "This season the lower half has picked the team up at times and the upper half has done the same thing."

Downers South made it 2-0 in its half of the second. Kaitlyn Wilson led off with an infield hit followed by Amelia Jiminez's single to center. A sacrifice bunt by Daly Garland moved the runners over a base and a wild pitch scored Wilson.

That set the stage for Morgan Rau, the No. 7 hitter, whose double hugged the left-field line and scored Jiminez.

"I needed to be loose and be ready at the plate. She was throwing a changeup and I had to be ready to drive," Rau said.

The Mustangs made it 3-0 the following inning, when with one out, Garland doubled to left. No. 8 hitter Brynn Dvorcek, with two outs, doubled to center, driving in Garland for the Mustangs' final run.

"The team has been pushing me to hit. I've been struggling a little bit and the team has been saying, 'You can do this. We believe in you,'" Dvorcek said.

Randi McKay struck out eight in getting the win. She and the Downers South defense allowed 10th-seeded Plainfield North (16-15) no extra-base hits and left eight Tigers runners stranded.

"The defense is so solid. The outfielders are out roaming and the infield is not making mistakes," Cushing said.

Downers South did not face WW South during the regular season.

"We know how to win. We just have to come back and be ready," Rau said.