“One team, one goal” has been the Riverside-Brookfield softball team’s motto all season. The tight-knit Bulldogs (24-7) took two steps toward accomplishing their singular aspiration – a state championship – by winning the Class 3A Montini Regional last week.
Riverside-Brookfield defeated Montini 8-5 in Saturday’s championship game in Lombard. Second baseman Maggie Zeleny provided the first run of the game when she belted her first career home run over the left field fence in the third inning. Zeleny’s unexpected dinger apparently inspired the Bulldogs, who added three more runs in the frame courtesy of Emily Hastings’ two-RBI double and Kylie O’Connell’s RBI single.
The Broncos responded with three runs via four straight hits off RB starter O’Connell in the fourth inning.
“Kylie is a very good pitcher but she struggled against Montini,” RB coach John Vermillion said. “You have to credit Montini, too, they pounded the ball.”
Fortunately, the Bulldogs’ offense remained in high gear during the middle innings. Kiley Rusen hit a sac fly to score Kelly Ely in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 5-3 score. RB provided more breathing room in the fifth with three runs to build an 8-3 advantage. Mantel (2-for-4) and Hastings (2-for-3, three RBIs) started the rally with hits in which Mantel ultimately scored on a double steal. Ashlee Haugh added a double that also drove in a run.
Although the Broncos scored twice more to make it an 8-5 final, Rachel Denneny was solid in relief by working 3 2/3 effective innings and striking out three to pick up the win.
“We were fine defensively and Rachel did a nice job stopping some of their rallies,” Vermillion said. “I thought the bottom end of our lineup really came through for us. We’re happy with winning the regional, but we also realize it’s just the first step to our main goal.”
Riverside-Brookfield opened the postseason with a 21-0 win over (Chicago) Ellison last week. The Bulldogs scored 15 runs in the first inning en route to a five-inning victory.
The Bulldogs advanced to the St. Francis Sectional where they will take on rival Nazareth today (Wednesday, June 1 at 4:30 p.m.) in Wheaton. RB edged Nazareth 3-1 during the regular season as Rusen hit a three-run homer in that game. Glenbard South, which beat out RB for the Metro Suburban Conference title this season, meets the sectional host Spartans in the other sectional semifinal (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.). The winners will play on Saturday at 11 a.m. for the sectional championship.
“We had a winning season and we want to keep the ball rolling,” Vermillion said. “If we play up to our potential, we can compete with any team in the state. I was pleased with how we played at the regional, but we’re going to have to play even better at the sectional if we hope to advance. The girls know that and are excited about the challenge.”