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For Streamwood, it’s a new season
Updated: May 23, 2011 10:18PM
Streamwood coach Nick Baird isn’t suffering from short term memory loss when he says his team is 1-0; he would just rather not remember the regular season. The Sabres finished with a dismal 3-24 record, but that was all forgotten with a 4-1 win at Larkin in opening round action on Monday in the South Elgin Regional.
Freshman hurler Kaitlyn Hedger was impressive on the mound as she scattered six hits to earn the victory. The Sabres will now face top-seeded South Elgin today in the regional semifinals, starting at 4:30 p.m.
“It was a really rough season,” said Baird. “So this feels great. This is the first regional game I can remember our school winning in a long time. I just feel really good for our whole team. Our record may not show it but this group has battled hard all year. I felt all along we are a decent team and we showed what we are capable of today when we come to play.”
Hedger didn’t find out she was getting the nod to start the game until the Sabres arrived at the field. It took a couple of innings for her to settle in, but once she did she was very effective. After giving up a run in the second inning and allowing a leadoff single to start the third, Hedger went on to retire 15 of the 16 batters. She only had three strikeouts on the day but forced Larkin into nine pop fly outs.
“I was a little nervous at first,” said Hedger. “But I knew I had my team behind me and I wasn’t alone out there. The curveball was working great. It’s been a long season and we really needed this win.”
The Sabres fell behind 1-0, but took the lead with three runs in the third inning. Another freshman Holly Foret got the inning started with a triple. With one out Jennifer Mellenthin was hit by a pitch. She took second uncontested. Brittany Dellao then delivered the big blow with a hard hit single up the middle that scored both Foret and Mellenthin to give the Sabres the lead 2-1. Foret later scored on an RBI single Dani Fisher.
The Sabres tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning when Brianna Bogdajewicz hit a one out single, stole second and later scored on an error.
It was more than Hedger would need. Hedger, who was called up midseason, performed like a crafty veteran She got plenty of support from her defense which was flawless behind her.
“I’m so proud of her,” said Baird. “We brought her up to give her a little experience and some confidence. But she pitched so well every time we put her in there that she worked her way right into getting the start for this game. She came out firing. She struggled a little bit with her location early on but settled right in. She doesn’t get rattled. She’s a tough competitor.”
Larkin’s lone highlight came in the second inning when Nikki Banks drove in Megan Johnson to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.
The Royals (9-25) didn’t have another base runner in scoring position until two outs in the final inning. Kiernan Schock was the tough luck loser. Outside of the third inning, Schock held the Sabres without an earned run and allowed just six hits while striking out five and walking just two.
“That was a tough one,” said Larkin coach Larry Hight. “What it came down to was they got the hits when they needed them and we didn’t get the hits when we needed them. But unless you win the state title, every team will feel the disappointment we’re feeling. I feel bad for the seniors. It just ended a little too soon for them. I really appreciate what they’ve done for us. It’s sad to see it end on this note for them.”
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