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There they were, the Benet softball players, on the largest stage of their young athletic lives at the Class 4A state tournament. The Redhawks were getting ready to play in the third-place game against New Trier June 11 in East Peoria. At a time where softball should have been the No. 1 thing on their minds, someone most of them have never … ]]> Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:06:00 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/6353099-393/benet-rallies-around-ex-rosary-star.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/6353099-393/benet-rallies-around-ex-rosary-star.html
The McGuire Sisters — Christine, Phyllis and Dorothy — were a popular singing trio from the 1950’s. In the modern day era of Illinois softball, the McGuire sisters – Nora, Maeve and Rowan – are a trio of talented players, two of which are currently playing for two of the better teams in the state. Sophomore Rowan is an outfielder at Downers … ]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:24:26 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/13044482-393/softball-benets-maeve-mcguires-tireless-work-ethic-has-made-her-player-of-the-year.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/13044482-393/softball-benets-maeve-mcguires-tireless-work-ethic-has-made-her-player-of-the-year.html
What a difference two months make. Back on March 26, Benet defeated Neuqua Valley 17-10 in a slugfest of epic proportions. Saturday, the Wildcats enacted revenge with a 1-0 victory over the Redwings (32-5) in a Class 4A Plainfield South Regional final win. While Benet was the top seed in the East Aurora Sectional, the Wildcats were seeded ninth. “It means a … ]]> Sat, 26 May 2012 17:51:57 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12793890-393/softball-jamie-obrien-neuqua-valley-blank-benet-in-regional-final.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12793890-393/softball-jamie-obrien-neuqua-valley-blank-benet-in-regional-final.html
If you look at the final score of top-seeded Benet’s Class 4A Plainfield South Regional semifinal win over 16th-seeded Oswego East, it may appear that the Redwings cruised to yet another win. The final line of 12-5 makes that an easy assumption. But Benet was given a stern test in its playoff opener, trailing 5-4 before an eight-run sixth bailed the Redwings … ]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 20:40:06 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12711249-393/softball-benet-thwarts-oswego-east-upset-bid-with-eight-run-sixth.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12711249-393/softball-benet-thwarts-oswego-east-upset-bid-with-eight-run-sixth.html Benet banged out 14 hits, including six doubles, and made it a great send-off for lone senior Kendall Duffy with a 10-4 victory over Fenwick Monday in Lisle. The Redwings (28-4, 13-2 East Suburban Catholic Conference) celebrated “Kendall Duffy Day” while the Bradley-bound catcher contributed to the win with a two-bagger during a three-run first inning and added an RBI single in … ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 20:52:25 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12536335-393/softball-benet-hits-way-past-fenwick.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12536335-393/softball-benet-hits-way-past-fenwick.html There are very few teams that can go back-to-back against Downers Grove North and Glenbard South and walk away with consecutive victories. No. 3 Benet is one of those teams. The Redwings, after beating North on Tuesday, escaped with a 3-2 nonconference win over the host Raiders on Wednesday. The visitors improved to 21-2, winning nine in a row, and will buckle … ]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:41:45 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12137102-393/softball-benet-stays-hot-knocks-off-glenbard-south.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12137102-393/softball-benet-stays-hot-knocks-off-glenbard-south.html Benet leadoff hitter Maeve McGuire is widely feared among opposing pitchers and coaches for her prowess at the plate. After the Redwings’ 6-3 nonconference home win Tuesday against No. 4 Downers Grove North, No. 2 hitter Marissa Panko (3-for-4 with an RBI) may start getting some respect of her own. Panko, a sophomore, produced the game-winning hit for the second time in … ]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:40:00 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12117682-393/softball-marissa-pankos-hit-lifts-benet-past-downers-north.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/12117682-393/softball-marissa-pankos-hit-lifts-benet-past-downers-north.html
Thursday’s nonconference game between Benet and host Naperville Central was perfect for fans who enjoy an offense-geared ballgame. In the end, the visiting Redwings prevailed 8-6. They improve to 10-1 this year with the win while the Redhawks fall to 2-3. Benet pounded out 11 hits and Naperville Central had two more with 13. Four-run innings by Benet in the first and … ]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:46:39 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/11743519-393/softball-benet-tops-naperville-central-in-slugfest.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/11743519-393/softball-benet-tops-naperville-central-in-slugfest.html
Following are the top high school softball players this season among the six Naperville Sun high schools. Players are listed in alphabetical order. FIRST TEAM Jena Boudreau, Neuqua Valley — Pitcher also led the Wildcats in hitting and was voted the team MVP. The Missouri-St. Louis-bound senior went 11-9, struck out 132 and had an ERA of 1.97. At the plate, the … ]]> Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:38:01 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/6154394-393/naperville-sun-all-area-softball-team.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/6154394-393/naperville-sun-all-area-softball-team.html
A mere three games into the 2011 softball season, Benet’s Maeve McGuire was ready to set the tone for the rest of the year. The date was Monday, March 28, and Benet was playing a nonconference game at Neuqua Valley. In the sophomore’s first at-bat at the top of the lineup, in cold and windy conditions, McGuire smashed one of what would … ]]> Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:34:06 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/6154324-393/at-leadoff-benets-mcguire-is-difference-maker.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/6154324-393/at-leadoff-benets-mcguire-is-difference-maker.html
EAST PEORIA — Benet’s best finish in school history had sort of a surreal feel to it. The Redwings rapped out 14 hits and pitcher Allyson Staats set a school record for most wins in a season as Benet beat New Trier 7-4 in the Class 4A third-place game Saturday evening at EastSide Centre. “At the beginning of the season it was … ]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:54:53 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5912355-393/record-setting-finish-for-third-place-benet.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5912355-393/record-setting-finish-for-third-place-benet.html OF: Kelly Christner, Andrew, so.: A two-time selection, the left-hander is one of the state’s top prospects. She hit .431 with four home runs, eight doubles and six triples. She added 32 RBI and 33 runs, stole 15 bases and had a .745 slugging percentage. P: Amanda Ciran, St. Charles North, sr.: The Sun-Times 2011 Player of the Year and Loyola recruit … ]]> Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:53:13 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5873195-393/ciran-leads-tough-all-area-squad.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5873195-393/ciran-leads-tough-all-area-squad.html
In 2009, Benet’s softball team recorded its best record — 31-6. The Redwings won an East Suburban Catholic Conference title and their sixth regional title. That was the year they were supposed to qualify for state and had great potential to win it all. Benet, however, lost in the sectional semifinal to Naperville Central, which ended up going to state and finishing … ]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:06:08 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5835418-393/benet-grabs-momentum-in-run-to-state.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5835418-393/benet-grabs-momentum-in-run-to-state.html
Benet provided a changeup to defeat one of the best changeup pitchers in the area. The Redwings got offense from the bottom of its order to defeat Richards 4-1 In the Class 4A Hinsdale South Supersectional. Benet will move on to the state semifinals in East Peoria and will play the winner of the Sandburg and Moline game at 4:30 on Friday. … ]]> Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:37:08 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5816863-393/benet-puts-richards-season-to-an-end.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5816863-393/benet-puts-richards-season-to-an-end.html
About the only thing that would cool off the Benet softball team now is the cooler of ice water that was dumped on coach Jerry Schilf after the Redwings won the Class 4A Oswego East sectional final title against Downers Grove South Saturday. The No. 5 seeded and red-hot Benet posted 11 hits and pitcher Allyson Staats allowed just three in the … ]]> Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:06:32 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5782583-393/hot-hitting-keeps-benet-rolling.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5782583-393/hot-hitting-keeps-benet-rolling.html
The last name “McGuire” spelled trouble for the Naperville North softball team. The McGuires — as in Benet’s lethal sister duo of Maeve and Nora — combined for five of the Redwings’ total nine hits, three RBI and each found themselves on base three times in the 10-1 win over the Huskies in the Oswego East Class 4A Sectional semifinal Wednesday. “I … ]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:44:31 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5724989-393/mcguire-sisters-power-benet-past-huskies.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/benet/softball/5724989-393/mcguire-sisters-power-benet-past-huskies.html