Softball: Taraschewsky, Barrington silence West Chicago
After giving up a leadoff single to West Chicago junior Sophia Ptak and moments later facing two runners on base with two outs in the first inning, Katie Taraschewsky knew she had to bear down.
"It could be a little frustrating at points but I just know I've got to bounce back and get the next batter," said the Barrington ace pitcher.
Not only did the Fillies' ace get the next batter with her first of eight strikeouts, she retired the final 19 she faced to toss a 7-0 shutout over West Chicago (3-4) on Saturday at the Fields of Dreams in Barrington.
"I felt pretty good after that first inning," Taraschewsky said. "I was like, 'OK, we've got this'."
The home team sure did have it, and Taraschewsky (3-1) played a major role.
She let only two balls past the infield and walked none, tossing a 1-hitter. The junior also highlighted the defense, assisting on five 1-3 putouts.
"I just want to see what kind of plays I can make," Taraschewsky said of her defensive prowess. "If I can get to the ball, I want to make the play."
"Katie was on today," said coach Perry Peterson, who now owns a 974-216 record.
Incidentally, those 974 wins leave him behind only two other coaches for the most wins in IHSA softball history.
And the two ahead of him are now tied at the top.
With Elk Grove's season-opening 3-1 win on Saturday at Glenbrook South, Grenadiers coach Ken Grams moved into a tie with retired St Joseph-Ogden coach Randy Wolken for the all-time lead. Both have 1,044 wins.
Grams, now in his 44th season, will try to become the all-time leader Monday when the Grens host Fenton at 4:45 p.m.
At the same time, Taraschewsky will be pitching at the Rosemont Dome against Leyden, coming off her longest streak of batters retired in a row.
"It was fun to watch her," Peterson added. "She did a nice job. She's an amazingly talented fielding pitcher. "
The Fillies wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as leadoff batter and centerfielder Mimi Cline singled to right field, advanced to second and third on a wild pitch and passed ball, and scored on shortstop Shannon Kenney's one-out groundout to first in the bottom of the first.
"I love batting leadoff," said Cline (2-for-4, 2 RBI), who has hit safely in three of the Fillies' first four games. "I love starting things off. I think it gets the team going a lot, too, when we get the first runner on."
The hosts made it 2-0 in the second when Harlow Engel led off with a walk, took second on Shaylee Hiser's sacrifice bunt, third on a wild pitch and scored on a one-out single to right by Maddie Van Ryn (1-for-2).
Barrington added 2 runs in the fourth.
Hiser (2-for-2, triple, sacrifice, RBI) led off with a single to center and took second on Van Ryn's sacrifice bunt. Liana Maggio (2-for-3, RBI) delivered a one-out RBI single to center for a 3-0 lead followed by Cline's RBI bunt that made it 4-0.
Hiser's two-out triple over the centerfielder's head drove in Kenney to extend the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth.
A double by Cline to centerfield made it 7-0 as Nina Brenach (singled to left) and Van Ryn (infield hit) came home to score (Maggio on an error) in the bottom of the sixth.
Other Fillies with 2 hits were Reese Cullen (2-for-4) and Brebach (2-for-3).
West Chicago (3-4) coach Mary Kate Brooks-Dieter was impressed with the Fillies' defense.
"I kept thinking the ball is wet for both of us so how are they gripping the ball so well?" said the former St. Charles East all-conference outfielder. "You've got to give them credit because it's so hard to play when you are on turf and there was rain earlier that day. Barrington looked great defensively. You've got to hand it to them."
Ptak, senior pitcher Jasmyn Trigueros (fielder's choice) and Cassiella Koenue (infield error) were the Wildcats' only players to reach base, all in the first inning.
"We also talked about how we have to make better adjustments offensively," said Dieter who also was an outfielder at Carthage College, playing one season at the Kenosha After giving up a leadoff single to West Chicago junior Sophia Ptak and moments later facing two runners on base with two outs in the first inning, Katie Taraschewsky knew she had to bear down.
"I love batting leadoff," said Cline (2-for-4, 2 RBI), who has hit safely in three of the Fillies' first four games. "I love starting things off. I think it gets the team going a lot, too, when we get the first runner on."
Trigueros is now 1-3.
"It's hard to pitch against a team that is putting pressure on you with small ball and proper swings," Dieter added. "Jasmyn has a mind of steel. The harder the pressure gets, the better she pitches so we're really thankful to have her mindset in the circle."