August 26, 2024
Sports

Benet, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South eye downstate softball bids

By JASON ROSSI

Downers Grove North's Kelsey Gockman throws across the diamond during a May 2 home game against Plainfield East. Gockman and the Trojans start postseason play on Tuesday. (Mark Busch)

The softball postseason is right around the corner, and Class 3A and 4A teams across the area will be vying to make it to the EastSide Centre in East Peoria for the state finals June 13 and 14. Here's the outlook for Benet, Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South.

Benet Redwings

Regional: Benet

Sectional: Oswego East

Sectional seed: No. 1

First game: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday vs. No. 16 Batavia/No. 17 Metea Valley

Outlook: Postseason opponents will have their hands full with the Redwings. Benet has a stacked lineup that has shown the ability to produce up and down the order. Five players – Stephanie Abello, Rowan McGuire, Marissa Panko, Julianne Rurka and Emily York – are hitting over .450 for the year. Abello has smacked 20 home and has 59 RBIs.

Molly Moran has handled the bulk of the pitching duties and carried a 2.09 ERA and a 16-1 record into the final regular season game.

If the Redwings can avoid an upset against Batavia or Metea Valley, Naperville North or Bolingbrook would await in the regional championship game at 11 a.m. on May 31.

Downers Grove North Trojans

Regional: Neuqua Valley

Sectional: Oswego East

Sectional seed: No. 3

First game: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday vs. No. 14 West Chicago/No. 19 East Aurora

Outlook: The Trojans return to familiar ground to start the postseason, heading back to Neuqua Valley, the sight of last season's sectional. They fell in the sectional title game last year and will be looking to emerge with the regional title this time around.

North will have an edge in the pitching circle against nearly any playoff opponent with Dale Ryndak throwing the ball. The Arizona State-bound ace has kept batters in check all season and has two no-hitters to her name.

Ryndak, Ali Woitovich, Katie Polaski, Emma Varsbergs, Zoe Varsbergs and Kaylee Newstrom have also provided steady offensive production.

With a win in the playoff opener, North would draw either Neuqua Valley or Wheaton Warrenville South in the regional championship game on May 31.

Downers Grove South Mustangs

Regional: Downers Grove South

Sectional: Oswego East

Sectional seed: No. 2

First game: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday vs. No. 15 Oswego East/No. 18 Plainfield North

Outlook: Starting with a doubleheader sweep of defending Wisconsin state champion Wetosha on March 29, the Mustangs have been on a roll all season.

A 10-4 win against Morton on Monday locked up the West Suburban Gold title for South as it improved to 11-0 in the league. Caitlyn Daly drove in three runs and Caroline Hedgcock plated two to make a winner of pitcher Payton Buresch.

A nice balance between offense and pitching should serve the Mustangs well in the postseason. Everyday players Daly, Hedgcock, Jess Andree, Kristen Bialek, Nicole Bowman, Kristin Lea, Megan LoBianco, Zahrya McFarland, Rebekah Ondracek and Melissa Orton have maintained high averages all season.

Hedgcock and Buresch have shared the pitching duties and have combined to hold opponents well under a .200 batting average. Hedgcock gained experience pitching the Mustangs to the supersectional game last year, and Buresch has avoided any freshman jitters this season.

If South advances past the first postseason game, Plainfield East or West Aurora would be the opponent in the regional championship game on May 31.