Softball: Barrington takes 4th at state after 2nd straight 1-run loss
Barrington's first appearance in the Class 4A softball state semifinal since 2017 resulted in a mixed bag of emotions.
Barrington entered the season with high expectations.
The Fillies were expected to be among the top teams in the state in Class 4A, and had the added bonus of seeking the program's first state softball championship.
The Fillies fell short of their ultimate goal, but gained a memorable consolation prize to go with a lifetime of memories.
A day after losing in the 4A state semifinals to Marist, the Fillies dropped a 4-3 decision to Edwardsville in the third-place game on Saturday afternoon at The Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria.
Barrington (33-7) claimed a fourth-place trophy - in its 11th state appearance in program history - and played in the program's 24th overall game at state.
The Fillies, who suffered a 6-5 defeat to Marist, followed the same format in both games at state. They seized a 2-0 lead in both games, only to suffer a one-run defeat.
Barrington coach Perry Peterson, who has an overall record of 908-202 in 31 years, said the Fillies enjoyed the program's first trip to state since finishing in third place in 2017.
The Fillies, who welcome a revamped home field next season, defeated Warren in the supersectional to reach state. The fourth-place trophy marked the program's ninth state trophy, equaling Barrington's girls soccer team for the most state trophies.
"I thought our team responded well today," Peterson said. "They came out excited and wanting to play."
Senior outfielder Ellie Wintringer said the Fillies displayed character and toughness in the third-place game following a grueling loss to Marist.
"I think that getting fourth place, even though we lost both of our games, is a huge accomplishment for us," Wintringer said. "We know we're a good program, and this proves it to us. I think this whole season we've been trying to find our way, so getting to this point proves to us that we had a great year."
Senior outfielder Amanda Glowacki, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored, said she cherished her first state appearance. She watched her older sister, Brittany, finish in third place during her junior season at Barrington in 2015.
"I'm really happy to be here because this was my dream since I was in middle school, when my sister was on the state team that placed fourth," Glowacki said. "I watched her and the whole process. Ever since then, I wanted to get to this point. I'm grateful we got to go to state and had the experience of being around my teammates."
Barrington junior pitcher Allie Goodwin (29-7) suffered the loss, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs - all in the fourth inning.
"They got all four runs and all their hits in one inning," Peterson said. "They did a good job of getting clutch hits. We were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. We just needed to get that clutch hit. We've been doing it so many times all year. We tried our best. (Edwardsville) did a good job."
Peterson noted the irony that many of his eight seniors played Edwardsville in a middle school championship game in the fall of 2017. Goodwin also pitched in that game, along with Edwardsville's pitcher Ryleigh Owens.
"It was a rematch of the same game in the same situation as 2017, when (Edwardsville) won," Peterson said. "The same two pitchers. It just shows you that these are two high level group of kids who are still competing."
The Fillies struck first when they scored the first run on an error and Wintringer added an RBI groundout for a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Wintringer, who was 2-for-3 with 4 RBI in the semifinal loss to Marist, led the offense with 1 hit and 1 RBI. Amanda Glowacki added a triple in the sixth and scored on Brynn Nevers' RBI hit.
"It was great to hit the ball well all weekend," Wintringer said. "I was excited to be at state. I've been waiting to play here since I was a little girl, so getting to this point was special. I didn't think I could hit much better than yesterday against our rivals, Marist. But today was even better.
"I just tried to make good contact. It felt good to hit that triple because our coaches were telling us to hit triples, and not to focus on home runs. We had a special team and special group of girls. Everyone contributed, on and off the bench. We all worked together."
Peterson thanked his eight seniors for improving every season, plus helping the program notch another state trophy.
"We really enjoyed our seniors this year," he said. "All eight made nice contributions. Some played every day, and some came in for moments. I'm very thankful for their commitment to the program."