Plainfield North too much for Devils

Updated: May 23, 2011 9:40PM

Erica Kramer’s first varsity home run and Kelly Kennedy’s 11th homer of the season helped knock Hinsdale Central out of the Class 4A playoffs Monday.

Plainfield North defeated the Devils for the second time this season, winning 13-3 in five innings in the Class 4A Plainfield North Regional quarterfinal. Kennedy’s walk-off blast with two outs enacted the 10-run rule as the 13th-seeded Tigers (10-19) scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kennedy crushed a full-count pitch from Kelly MacKenzie that scored Katie Ready, who hit a two-run triple with one out.

Kramer, Plainfield North’s leadoff hitter, broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the third when she ripped MacKenzie’s second pitch over the left field fence. Kramer was playing in her fourth varsity game after clubbing six home runs on the JV during the season.

Kramer used a golf swing to hit her homer, which began a six-run inning for the Tigers.

“I like them a little higher, but that one was down the middle,” Kramer said. “It feels great.”

Plainfield North defeated the 20th-seeded Devils 8-1 on April 11. Hinsdale Central (5-18) won its first three games of the season, but could only beat West Suburban Silver rival Proviso West in two meetings during the rest of the season. The Devils ended the season with a seven-game losing streak.

Hinsdale Central sophomore center fielder Alexa Heydenberk tied the game in the top of third with a two-run home run off Caroline Roberts that stayed inside the foul pole in right field. The left-handed hitting Heydenberk drove in senior Kathryn Klebenow, who drew a walk with one out.

Heydenberk was the first homer hit by a Hinsdale Central player since the opening game of last season.

“It felt really good even if it was going to end the season,” Heydenberk said. “The last time I hit a home run was in fall ball with my travel team, the Homer Hawks.”

Heydenberk started the season in right field, but was moved to center when Klebenow began catching in the second half of the season. Heydenberk made a diving catch off Kramer’s line drive to start Plainfield North’s half of the first inning.

The Devils had five hits in the game and added another run in the fourth when Lauren Daleen singled, went to third on Maggie Brennan’s double and scored on a wild pitch with one out. Hinsdale Central stranded five runners in scoring position.

Heydenberk will return to her travel team this summer and hopes to qualify for the Junior Nationals tournament, which will take place in Chattanooga, Tenn. this summer.

Although the Devils did not win many games, Heydenberk has plenty of memories on the season.

“I love everyone on the team,” Heydenberk said.

As the team’s only seniors, Klebenow and Brennan played their final games.

Plainfield North will play fourth-seeded Plainfield Central at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Benet Regional semifinal. The Tigers lost to the Wildcats twice during the season. Plainfield North has scored 30 runs in its last two games after beating Joliet Central 17-9 to end the regular season.

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