I'm not sure what Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum's reaction was when he found out that his fourth-seeded Redhawks will meet No. 6 Plainfield South in the Bolingbrook Sectional final at 9 a.m. on Saturday, but I would've groaned.
Not that the other choice, No. 2 Lockport-Township, was much better. But at least Central had met the Porters earlier this season and got a taste of what they were all about in a 6-1 loss. Plainfield South, on the other hand, was one of the many early season games that got cancelled because of weather and was never made up.
So the Redhawks (24-6) and the Cougars (25-8) will meet for the first time this season in a high stakes game for both teams. If Central wins, it will be only the second time in school history that the program has grabbed a sectional title. The first time came in 1989 and that team went on to finish second in the state. This is the first trip to a sectional championship for the Cougars, who also beat the Porters for the first time to gt there.
Plainfield South is a scrappy team with a lot of talent that's very hot right now. It's a dangerous combination. This is evidenced by the Cougars 2-1 win over the Porters on Thursday, where South rallied a run in the eighth inning.
Behind a stellar performance from pitcher Alyssa Schrader, the team also upset powerhouse Downers Grove South to win a regional title. Schrader may have given up nine hits to the Mustangs' big bats, but she pitched out of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the ninth and the Cougars won 3-1.
Schrader will square off against Central ace Natalie Wunderlich, who is coming off a killer performance on her own in Wednesday's Plainfield Central upset. Both are smart pitchers who can have low hit games even when they throw just a single strikeout. Once through the lineup and each hurler seems to have a good read on those staring them down.
South also has clutch hitters in Krista Matsui and Schrader. But Central has proven that nearly anyone in it's lineup, including No. 8 and No. 9 hitters Maggie Buoy and Jori Gonzalez can step up. Buoy's performance in Wednesday's sectional title win was a tour de force of clutch play, both offensively and defensively. The top of Central's lineup is also very strong with senior shortstop Lizzy Ploen lleading the pack in post season play. If any part of the lineup gets hot, South is in trouble, especially if Central can score early.
PREDICTION: South will put up a huge fight and there will be some scary moments for the Redhawks. Yet, I wouldn't pick against Central. They're hot at just the right time; Wunderlich is arguably one of the best pitchers in the state; they have great team leadership from Ploen; and they have a solid lineup both in the field and at the plate. My pick is Central in a close one. What do you think?
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