Naperville Central pounces on West Aurora

Updated: May 24, 2011 8:54PM

There is no doubt the Naperville Central softball team is ready for the playoffs.

The Redhawks used 12 hits to beat West Aurora 9-1, in the Class 4A West Aurora regional semifinal Tuesday.

“I think we are in it to win it and very motivated,” Naperville Central’s Maddi Doane said. “We had a great game today, and we want to keep it going.”

The win moved Naperville Central to 23-10 and they will play either No. 6 Lyons or No. 11 Oswego East (who meet Wednesday) in the regional final Saturday at 11 a.m.

“I’ve coached basketball for 23 years and softball for 28 years, and I don’t believe I’ve ever coached against Lyons Township or Oswego East, so it should be interesting,” Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said.

Naperville Central upped the lead from 5-1 to 9-1 in the sixth, when the Redhawks scored four runs on five hits from Jill Andreoni, Kelsey Gonzalez, Doane, Katie Walker and Keegan Hayes.

Doane also hit a first-pitch two-run home run (her third of the year) over the right field fence with one out in the fifth that put the Redhawks up 5-1. Naperville Central also scored twice in the third, highlighted by an RBI double from Griffin. The Redhawks also scored a run in the third on a West Aurora error.

Nicole Kappelman reached base four times and Gonzalez, Griffin, Doane, Walker and Hayes each posted a pair of hits.

“It was nice to see everyone step up, even once we got a good lead,” pitcher Alyssa Wunderlich said. “We never gave up and kept fighting every inning.”

West Aurora scored its run in the fifth, when Franny Evischi led off with a walk. Her pinch runner, Gianna Drager, moved to second on Ally Wazer’s single and scored on pinch hitter Alexis Harkless’ RBI single. It was the only walk Central pitcher Wunderlich gave up, and two of the three singles allowed. She was throwing a perfect game in the first four innings and ended up with seven strikeouts.

“I feel better with a lead, and I know (Wunderlich) pitches better with a lead,” Nussbaum said.

The Blackhawks ended the season 6-26 overall. They lost to DuPage Valley Conference opponent Naperville Central three times this year.

“I’m very proud of my players,” West Aurora coach Sara Nagy said. “They were pumped to play (Naperville Central)...we never gave up. You would think with the record we have there would be negativity, but this team hung tight the whole season. I’m proud of every single girl on the team.”

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