Softball: Waslawski, St. Charles North deny Conant in regional title game
There may be nothing more important in high school softball than the relationship between the pitcher and catcher.
St. Charles North (18-9) received strong performances from its senior battery of Jillian Waslawski and Grace Quinn during Friday afternoon's 3-1 Class 4A regional championship triumph over Conant in St. Charles.
Waslawski scattered 5 hits during her complete-game effort, issuing no walks while striking out 2 as she pocketed her fourth consecutive regional title in as many seasons on the mound.
Quinn, meanwhile, walked to lead off the third and courtesy runner Alyssa Domaracki eventually came home with the game's first run on Jessica Wilson's RBI groundout.
In the third, Quinn delivered the game's key blow - an opposite-field, 2-run, 2-out double to give the fourth-seeded North Stars a 3-0 lead.
"We've really emphasized two-out RBI," said Quinn. "It's one of our five core values. Going up to bat, I was just trying to do my job and get my teammates across.
"She (Conant pitcher Jackie Carlucci) threw a great pitch and I was able to get my hands on it."
The fifth-seeded Cougars (15-10) got on the board in the fourth. Senior co-captain Jackie Burchfield's RBI triple closed the gap to 3-1 but Waslawski escaped further damage on a lineout to third baseman Danielle Trumbo and a grounder to shortstop Grace Sobieski.
"She just came out confident and was hitting her spots," Quinn said of Waslawski. "We work together on a lot of things.
"I've known Jillian since I was like six. All of my weaknesses, she fills with strengths - and all of her strengths fill my weaknesses. We're a good duo."
Playing on their home field for the final time, a group of 7 seniors helped lead the North Stars to their fifth straight regional crown.
"I love it because this team has battled through a lot of growing pains," said North Stars coach Tom Poulin. "We've had our ups and downs and they've battled through a season of some inconsistencies."
Conant strung together 3 singles around a sacrifice bunt in the sixth but was kept off the scoreboard thanks in part to center fielder Ashlyn Jozefowicz' throw to the plate and Quinn's tag of Alexa Nallen trying to score on Burchfield's single.
"We threw everything we could at them but chasing was a little tough," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith. "You've got controllables and uncontrollables. We didn't come out on the upper end of some of those uncontrollables but then you still have to hit and score more than the other team.
"I'm really proud of these seniors. They fought to the end."
As did the North Stars, who advance to Tuesday's Fremd sectional semifinal clash with either top-seeded St. Charles East or No. 8 seed Lake Park. The Saints and Lancers meet at 11 a.m. Saturday for the Schaumburg regional title.
"I like the way we're playing and what we're trying to do and how we're playing defense," said Poulin. "Sectionals are never easy. It's going to be another level of challenging but I think this team is ready."
For now, the North Stars will savor Friday's home finale.
"I'm going to walk away with so much pride," said Waslawski. "Doing this four years in a row and having these people behind me - I'm so lucky."