Softball: Hersey takes out Libertyville for first sectional title

Hersey softball fans got some relief on Friday.

After watching their team pull through in 11 and 10 innings in back-to-back postseason games, they saw their Huskies need only seven innings this time in the championship game of the Class 4A Palatine sectional.

They also saw program history.

No. 4 seed Hersey earned its first sectional title with a 4-2 win over No. 2 Libertyville as senior Sarah Bailitz ran her record to 9-0 for the month of May.

The Huskies (27-6) advance to the Barrington supersectional on Monday at 7 p.m. to face the winner of Saturday's Hampshire sectional title game between Huntley and McHenry.

Bailitz (15-2), who has thrown all 35 innings of the Huskies' postseason, tossed a 3-hitter with 9 strikeouts.

"It felt like a short game," said the Dayton recruit who was coming off the two-extra inning thrillers. "It was weird. I was ready to play a few more innings."

"It does seem like a little shorter game," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman with a smile. "The sun is still up when it ended.

"But this is incredible - the Elite Eight. We are so proud to bring it home. It was amazing to see our community out there. The orange that was on display wasn't just family. It was friends, former players, teachers, and community members. They were all out there and we were so proud to represent our school and to be part of our community. We appreciate all the support."

Bailitz got all the support she needed in the top of the third inning when the Huskies wiped out a 2-0 deficit with 3 runs.

After one out, Morgan Breden started the rally in a big way.

She couldn't have picked a better time for her first varsity homer, a solo shot over the right-center field fence.

"It was good timing for that," said the junior catcher. "It feels great. We have been making history one step at a time. It's a game of momentum and it's all about the team."

"Morgan's home run was a momentum changer," Bailitz said. "She was outstanding behind the plate and in the batter's box. She is not someone who always had regular at-bats this season so for her to do that on this big stage is fantastic."

The momentum did indeed carry over as No. 9 hitter Savannah Gazda followed with a single to center. Makayla Tsagalis reached on an infield error for runners on first and second. After a strikeout by Libertyville ace Amanda Page (8-hitter, 3 strikeouts), Brianna Luciano reached on an error and another error on the play resulted in Gazda and Tsagalis each crossing the plate. Luciano advanced to third.

Bailitz then flew out to left fielder Julia Zinkewich, who made a nifty grab on the hard fading liner to end the rally.

Bailitz went back to work on the mound, allowing only 1 hit over the final five innings. She got an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Ria Patel singled home Breden (2-for-3).

Libertyville's 2 runs came in the second inning, thanks to an RBI single by Ella Zombolo and a wild pitch that allowed Katie Jahncke to score.

"We played a fantastic game," said Libertyville coach Elissa Wisniewski. "Our girls left their hearts on the field. We didn't let a ball go without giving it 100 percent and that's all you can ask for as a coach from your players."

The Wildcats (26-8) had a lot of rookie varsity players this spring.

"I'm just incredibly proud of how the kids came out and played this season," Wisniewski added. "We didn't have a lot of returning players. The first-time players did a great job coming out every day wanting to learn and wanting to make adjustments.

"In the middle of the season, we were able to click and we went on a pretty good run. Like I told them, they had nothing to hang their heads about."

Four-year varsity player Maggie Evers said the upperclassmen always try to set an example for the young players.

"This program is really set on building blocks," the third baseman said. "It is very competitive and very well respected.

"The team bonding was insane this season. You could tell even when were down 4-2 in bottom of the seventh and everyone was up on the dugout fence screaming for each other. Charlotte Lynch got a single up the middle and people were just going out of their minds. We had great team support."

Just like Hersey.

"It's about team work at this point of the season - my defense was great," Bailitz said. "And we all know how to work together."

Just like Bailitz and her pitching coach Jessica Franco work together.

"I think Sarah and Bri (Luciano) have been fantastic working with Jessica," Freeman said. "She is the one who calls all the pitches day in and day out and this was nice birthday present for her today."

"I want to give a shout out for her (Franco's) birthday," Bailitz added. "I've worked with her the past four years and she is my travel coach now so I get to see her year-round. We are on an excellent page with pitch calls. She called a great game today. She has been awesome. I owe her so much."