Sandburg ready for state title defense

Updated: May 23, 2011 8:37PM

It’s title-defending time in Orland Park.

Sandburg coach Jim Fabianski made no predictions about how his 2010 Class 4A state champion Eagles would fare in the 2011 postseason after a 30-game journey that saw them emerge with a 24-6 record.

He did, however, come to one absolute conclusion.

“This is an awesome group,” he said. “We’ve got eight seniors excited to come out every day. It speaks volumes about their dedication. And since they have been there (to the state finals) before, they know how to visualize what it could be like.

“But for us, it’s one game at a time. I’m not even looking where the sectional is. I don’t even care. We’re letting the kids know that every moment that they have is precious. That’s how our attitude has been.”

Regional play-in games were scheduled to get under way Monday in Class 3A and 4A, while in Class 2A Beecher and Chicago Christian have advanced to the sectional level after capturing regional crowns Saturday.

Fabianski’s reticence to play prognosticator is completely understandable. The regular season saw no Southland teams in Class 4A dominate on a daily basis.

“Now, it’s all about getting hot at the right time,” Fabianski said. “And I would like to think that we’re peaking at the right time. I feel great going into the playoffs.”

Sandburg, led by catcher Lexi Bryant, third baseman Jessica Perkins and pitcher Lora Olson, is part of a Lockport Sectional field that includes Stagg, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way Central, Marian Catholic, Lockport, Andrew and Homewood-Flossmoor — all of whom have been ranked in the top 10 at all or some points during the season.

The best first-round regional match-up this week figure to be H-F vs. Lincoln-Way Central in an H-F Regional semifinal today. The winner likely would meet Stagg in the regional final Saturday.

Lincoln-Way North and Minooka are to meet today to earn a likely Shepard Regional title meeting against Sandburg.

Marian Catholic, Lockport and Providence Catholic head a tough Providence Regional field, while Lincoln-Way East and Andrew are on a collision course in the Lincoln-Way East Regional.

Unbeaten no more

Richards saw its bid for a perfect regular season come undone Saturday in a 3-1 eight-inning loss to Antioch that left the Bulldogs at 28-1.

Couldn’t have come at a better time?

“I’ll go with that theory now,” Bulldogs coach Julie Folliard said, laughing. “But you know it was actually a really good game, and overall we played outstanding defense. We were just offensively we were a little off.”

Hannah Jenkins had the lone Richards RBI, with a first-inning double that scored Kristina Apato.

The loss ended one of the longest winning streaks (28 games) in Southland history.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Folliard said. “This group has a lot of energy. And one of the most unique things about them is that they really just care about each other. They’re just really good to each, cheer for each other all the time, and they have fun. I’m really proud of them.”

Richards is competing in the Class 4A De La Salle Regional.

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