Softball: Naperville North advances to regional final with win over Bolingbrook

Naperville North took advantage of a very poor Bolingbrook defense to win, 9-1, in the Class 4A Plainfield North Regional semifinals on Wednesday.

Kathleen Hahne pitched a complete game, striking out seven and walking two, while allowing the Raiders one run on four hits.

“I knew they had several strong hitters in the middle of their lineup,” said Hahne (16-9). “I knew where their weaknesses and strengths are, so I knew when to pitch them away and when to pitch them inside and work my spots. Our defense played very well today.”

The Huskies (22-12) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning with only one hit. Raiders starting pitcher Megan Lotarski (11-12) got into trouble with her own fielding error and giving up a hit, a walk and hitting a batter to allow the Huskies to score. Kailee Budicin and Hahne drove in a run each on ground outs before the side was retired.

Things went from bad to worse in the third inning as the Raiders (20-16) committed four errors including two by shortstop Elizabeth Berg. The Huskies scored five runs on one hit, a double by Caitlyn Warren (2-for-3, two runs scored). The Huskies added one run in the fifth to seal the win.

“When you have eight errors you can’t win,” said Raiders coach Jean Ryan-Moak. “We weren’t ready to play. We came back to rally in the seventh inning but where was the hitting during the entire game. We’re a better team than that.”

The Huskies advance to the regional final against Lockport on Saturday.

“Hahne kept (the Raiders) off balance all day,” said Huskies coach Jerry Kedziora. “They are a good hitting team. We hit the ball hard at them and were finally able take advantage of their errors instead of other teams taking advantage of ours. We put the ball in play and we made them field it.”

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