March 03, 2025
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Softball: Downers Grove South stunned by Geneva in 10-inning sectional final

Vikings snap Mustangs' 24-game winning streak, win first sectional championship

By Joshua Welge

It proved the game-winning run, as 14th-seeded Geneva stunned second-seeded Downers Grove South 2-1 in 10 innings in the Class 4A Plainfield North Sectional final. It's Geneva's first-ever sectional championship, and snapped Downers South's 24-game winning streak. Not a bad parting gift for retiring Vikings' coach Greg Dierks. "Nobody expected us to get this far, honestly," said Keller, a Winona State recruit. "We beat a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 seed." (Gary E)

It proved the game-winning run, as 14th-seeded Geneva stunned second-seeded Downers Grove South 2-1 in 10 innings in the Class 4A Plainfield North Sectional final. It's Geneva's first-ever sectional championship, and snapped Downers South's 24-game winning streak. Not a bad parting gift for retiring Vikings' coach Greg Dierks. "Nobody expected us to get this far, honestly," said Keller, a Winona State recruit. "We beat a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 seed." (Gary E)

Keller, on base with a one-out single in the 10th, was still there with two out when Emily Viebrock lifted a pop fly in shallow right-center. Keller never saw the ball, but she did hear her coach – and kept running. After the ball was dropped, Keller just slid in under the tag. "I kind of slowed down as I was rounding second, and [Dierks] was yelling," Keller said, "so I sprinted all the way. I wasn't expecting that." (Gary E)

Dierks' aggressive call is a mindset. "You got to run hard on every ball," Dierks said. "...Everybody sees your hustle. Little things like that win games." It won Geneva's second extra-inning game of the week. On Wednesday, the Vikings (18-11), down to their last strike in the seventh, rallied to beat Plainfield East 4-3 in 11. "I'll take bonus time any time," Dierks said. "What we went through the other day made it easier today. It seemed normal." (Gary E)

Keller, Geneva's leadoff hitter, was 0-for-6 in that Wednesday game. She had hits in her last three at-bats Friday, though. None were bigger than her solo homer to center leading off the sixth, tying it 1-1. "The first two at-bats today felt like it carried over from [Wednesday], and it got in my head a little bit," Keller said. "That home run was what I needed to get back in it." It's what Geneva needed too. Downers Grove South pitcher Randi McKay shut the Vikings out in last year's regional final. The Vikings loaded the bases with none out off McKay in the fourth inning Friday, but didn't score. "We needed an ice breaker," Dierks said. "We needed something. It was a different vibe from that point on." (Gary E)

Downers Grove South (31-3) scored first, in the fourth inning. McKay singled, and Kaitlyn Wilson doubled her in. The Mustangs hit several hard-hit balls after that, but never could break through. A team that hit 45 homers this year, averaging nearly 10 runs per game, scored just eight over its last three games. "They capitalized on a mistake," Mustangs coach Jim Cushing said, "but you know what, we have not hit the last three games like we have all season, and that's what cost us. We're not a better hitting team than that. We're a way better hitting team." (Gary E)

Geneva sophomore pitcher Shelly Deisz (10-8), like against Plainfield East, wasn't dominant. But she was clutch, with help. She struck out just two, scattering eight hits. The Vikings' defense was sensational behind her. Keller smothered a rocket shot in the fifth, a running grab in right field later in the inning stranded two runners on and Sydney Erdmann laid out for a diving catch in the eighth. In the 10th, catcher Madison Femia dove for a pop up. "Shelly and the defense, it was a good package deal," Dierks said. "Shelly was really sharp. I saw four of [Downers South's] games this year and they hit 10 homers, and then we got here and the wind was blowing out. She was really good." (Gary E)

Downers South's year was really good. The Mustangs went almost two months without a loss. Amelia Jimenez had three singles and Maggie Greco reached base twice. The second time, Greco was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs in the 10th. Diesz got out of it with a fly ball to Carissa Bombardiere in center. McKay, in defeat, struck out 10. "Give credit to them. They fought like hell, just like we did," Cushing said. "If you would have told me we'd held them to two runs in 10 innings and lost, I would have been shocked. They're scrappy." "It's crazy. They went 11 innings the other day too," Wilson said. "They're a fighting team." Dierks, his voice trembling talking about them, knows it. "It does mean a lot," Dierks said. "Yea, this is special." (Gary E)

Downers Grove South Randi McKay (4) slides in safely under the tag during the Class 4A sectional final game between Downers Grove South vs Geneva May 31. Gary E Duncan Sr for Shaw Media (Gary E)

Geneva Carissa Bombardiere (27) celebrates after making a key out during the Class 4A sectional final game between Downers Grove South vs Geneva May 31. Gary E Duncan Sr for Shaw Media (Gary E)

Geneva poses with the Class 4A sectional championship plaque May 31. Gary E Duncan Sr for Shaw Media (Gary E)