Glenbard South Softball Loses To Playoff Rival

The Glenbard South softball team focused on its strong finish rather than its rough start following a 13-8 loss to postseason rival Trinity Wednesday afternoon in Glen Ellyn.

The Raiders (8-2) found themselves trailing 12-0 after the top of the third inning before outscoring the hard-hitting visitors 8-1 the rest of the way.

“I am really proud of the way we kind of came back,” Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda said. “We could have hung our heads very easily and we didn’t.”

The teams have met in the Class 3A playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Glenbard South beat Trinity (13-1) in the supersectionals in 2009 before the Blazers returned the favor in sectionals in 2010.

Trinity ended the suspense of this one early by rolling seven runs across the plate in the top of the second inning and five more in the third to take a 12-0 lead. By the end of the game, eight of the Blazers’ nine starters hit safely and the other reached on a walk.

“I think we’re one of the best hitting teams in the state,” Trinity coach Bob Osborne said.

Trinity scored its seven runs on four hits in the second. Abby Ramirez delivered a two-run double while Grace Cortina and Nicole Evans each contributed an RBI single during the big inning. The Blazers also took advantage of two walks, a hit batter and two errors in the frame.

After sending 11 batters to the plate in the second, Trinity batted around the order in the third as the visitors extended their lead to 12-0 with the help of two more walks and two more errors by the Raiders.

“Defensively, it looked like we hadn’t played a game in a week, and we haven’t played a game in a week,” Fonda said.

Glenbard South fought its way back to respectability by scoring three runs in the third inning and four in the fifth. Jackie Wrona registered a 2-run single and Hannah Davey contributed a pair of RBI singles for the Raiders.

The Raiders added a run in the seventh inning. They wound up out-hitting Trinity 13-11.

“I was proud of us,” Wrona said. “We kept strong. We stayed tough, we stayed together, and I think down the line that’ll be really important.”

“I’m pretty impressed with how they hit against two good pitchers today,” Fonda said of her players.

Trinity starter Brittany Bura pitched five innings to earn the victory and improve to 5-0. Reliever Chase Machain allowed a run in two innings of work to record her first save.

Glenbard South starter Jess Wilkes went the distance. She suffered her first loss in seven decisions.

The Raiders played without shortstop and No. 3 hitter, Jenny Wittenberg. She went home sick during the school day.

“When I came out here after everyone knew she wasn’t coming to the game it was like somebody had popped a balloon,” Fonda said.

Since losing to Glenbard South in the 2009 supersectionals, Trinity has won three straight against the Raiders. 

“It just felt good to beat ’em again because we knew they were hungry and they wanted to beat us,” said Trinity senior first baseman Erin Baldwin, who went 2 for 3 and knocked in three runs.

“I expected like a 5-4 game, but it’s a perfect barometer,” Osborne said. “When we lost to them in the supersectional a couple years ago we always said that’s the program we want to be. They play hard. They play the right way. We have a lot of respect for each other.”

The teams won’t meet in the playoffs this season. That’s because Trinity has moved into Class 4A. Fonda wasn’t exactly disappointed to see that.

“I kind of threw a party when I saw ’em in 4A,” she said. “They’re a great team.”