Redhawks stumble in 4A semifinals

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Naperville Central pitcher Natalie Wunderlich entered Friday’s state semifinal game with a trio of no-hitters and shared another one this season.

However, Wunderlich and her Redhawk teammates were on the other end of a no-hitter as Edwardsville senior righty Lauren Francis no-hit Naperville Central 2-0 in the Class 4A state semifinals at EastSide Centre.

The Tigers (36-4), who advanced to the title game for the first time in program history, have now won 24 in a row since a 2-1, eight inning loss to Loyola on April 25. Naperville Central (31-7), which saw a 12-game winning streak end, will still take home its first state trophy since finishing second in 1989.

It was the 19th complete-game no-hitter in Downstate tournament history and the second since the four-class system was adapted last year.

‘‘We definitely could have done better,’’ Wunderlich said. ‘‘We didn’t play like we had in the last couple of games. We faced good pitchers all along, our offense was just a little dead today.’’

‘‘She is deceptively quick’’ said Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum of Francis. ‘‘Her motion isn’t that quick, but the ball comes at you quick and we didn’t stay off some high ones.’’

The Redhawks only had three baserunners. Catcher Megan Silke walked on a full-count pitch to lead off the bottom of the fifth. But courtesy runner Ashley Grach was doubled off first to end the inning on a line out to Francis.

Kelsey Gonzalez was hit by a pitch on a 1-2 count to open the seventh. Gonzalez was forced at second on a grounder by Stephanie Lynch. Lynch moved to second on another groundout, but Francis (20-3) completed the gem by getting a called third strike for her eighth strikeout of the game.

‘‘Never, not in my wildest dreams did I think I’d throw that down here,’’ Francis said. ‘‘That’s a credit to my defense. I was told that Naperville Central put the ball in play a lot and hit it hard.’’

Edwardsville scored twice in the first on three hits, an error and a fielders choice with the bases loaded where Silke failed to touch home for the force.

‘‘Those were mistakes we haven’t been making,’’ Nussbaum said. ‘‘Anytime you’re down here you can’t give a team five outs and expect to win.’’

Wunderlich (21-6) settled down after the first and finished with a five-hitter, walking none and striking out four.

‘‘The last six innings were the most relaxed I’ve been,’’ Wunderlich said. ‘‘But they already had the runs.’’