THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
Barrington Bumps Elk Grove Again
By BOBBY CHILVER
Journal Sports
Just as they did about a month ago, Elk Grove had Barrington on the ropes.
But it was a similar outcome Thursday evening as the Lady Grens were unable to shut the door and the Fillies rallied back to take their sixth consecutive Mid Suburban League softball championship.
The Grens had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but Barrington was able to tie the game in the fifth and score two more in the sixth to take the MSL crown, 4-2.
In an unusually sloppy performance for these two powerhouses (5 errors), this game kept a packed house at Barrington's Field of Dreams on the edge of their seat all the way through.
But in the end, Kiersten Tinkoff delivered the game-winning hit for Barrington and pitcher Kim Cygan finished off a 6-hitter to seal the win.
"There were a lot of uncharacteristic things today but we stepped up when we needed to," Barrington coach Perry Peterson said. "It was just two great programs going after it."
And great could be an understatement for these two squads, who have combined for a 54-11 record this season.
They should both be back in top form and ready to make a deep run into the playoffs next week, where we could even get another re-match down the line.
In Thursday's game it was Elk Grove that struck first as Stephanie Dolce singled, driving home Jessica Balzano, who had reached on an error. The Grens then had runners on second and third with one out but were unable to capitalize as a popout and strikeout ended the inning.
This seemed to be the trend, too, as Elk Grove left numerous runners stranded on base.
"We had opportunities early," Coach Ken Grams said. "When you get those opportunities, you have to take advantage of them."
Gren starter Stephanie Maday was solid through the first three innings but Barrington was able to tie it at one in the bottom of the fourth as Jessica McGurn doubled off the wall to drive home a run.
Maday saved another run on the next batter as she fielded a bunt and quickly flipped to catcher Nikki Goranson, who applied the tag at the plate, preserving a tie game.
Elk Grove quickly recaptured the lead in the top of the fifth as two errors on a hard Balzano grounder allowed Amy Charewicz to come all the way around and score from first.
But Barrington responded again, scoring on a 2-out single by Devinne Wapotish that just got over a leaping Elk Grove second baseman.
The Grens had a chance to take the lead in the top of the sixth but were unable to capitalize. The first two batters quickly reached and advanced on a sac bunt, giving Elk Grove second and third with one out again.
The next ball was hit hard at Barrington shortstop Michal Jane Maropis. She quickly scooped it up and gunned it home to throw out the runner and save the tie game. The next batter grounded out and Barrington escaped.
That proved to be big as Tinkoff knocked home the winning run in the top of the sixth and the Fillies added another insurance run for the 4-2 final.
Cygan got three grounders back to her in the top of the seventh and the game was over. Her performance was remarkable considering she had missed school and practice the day before with the flu.
"I would have pitched until I passed out," she said. "I wouldn't miss this."
Grams told the team they did a good job of setting up scoring opportunities; it was simply one of those days that they couldn't drive them home.
Elk Grove should bounce back strong and has time to prepare for their post-season, which begins Tuesday in the Willowbrook regional.