Latest news with #St.CharlesEast
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Defense delivers as Makayla Van Dinther pitches St. Charles East to shutout of South Elgin. ‘Stressful situations.'
Catch her if you can, but it isn't easy. Makayla Van Dinther may not be an intimidating physical presence in the circle for St. Charles East, but the junior right-hander has been pure magic during an impressive postseason run. it has the surprising Saints one win away from the state finals and a trip to Peoria. 'I knew we were going to be a tough out,' St. Charles East coach Jarod Gutesha said. 'With 15 losses, everybody is ranked above us, but I knew our lineup was going to be tough. 'With our schedule, we've experienced disappointment with a stretch of one and two-run losses, but you learn from those disappointments.' Van Dinther proved that point again Friday in the Class 4A Palatine Fremd Sectional championship game, completing a six-hit shutout for the Saints in a 5-0 victory over South Elgin. The fifth-seeded Storm (29-5) appeared to have her on the ropes multiple times, but she escaped trouble that included back-to-back bases-loaded jams in the third and fourth innings. Van Dinther (13-9) struck out five and walked just one in winning for the third time in four playoff games to go with a save for the sixth-seeded Saints (23-15), who will play at 6 p.m. Monday in the Barrington Supersectional against the host Fillies (33-3-1), a 2-0 winner over Huntley. Afterward, Van Dinther passed some of that credit to junior catcher Hayden Sujack. 'Those jams were stressful situations,' Van Dinther said. 'But my catcher and I talked, and we located some counts because it was a tight strike zone. I just trusted my defense.' Senior third baseman Holly Smith provided some stellar defense in the third inning, charging a grounder on the line, scooping the ball up and flipping it to Sujack out of her glove all in one motion for the third out on a force play at the plate. And second baseman Alyse Price almost saw it coming. 'Makayla threw a great pitch,' Smith said. 'It was a weak contact. It might have rolled foul, but I was ahead of the runner so I tried the glove flip and Hayden made a nice stretch. 'It's funny. Alyse Price and I were just talking about glove flipping before the game and it comes up. First time I've ever used it at third base.' Van Dinther, who bailed herself out the next inning by retiring a batter on a comeback grounder with the bases loaded and two out, appreciated the Smith-Sujack connection. 'Amazing play,' said Van Dinther, who also praised a catch by senior left fielder Eden Corcoran. 'That kind of saved my butt there. We played good all-around. Our outfield did a great job. 'Eden made an amazing catch to save another run that was great to see.' Van Dinther ended up stranding nine runners. South Elgin's defensive struggles made it tough on Loyola-bound senior left-hander Anna Kiel, who started in the circle for a second straight day but was lifted after three innings trailing 2-0. Sparked by Sujack's double, St. Charles East took advantage of three errors to score twice in the first inning. The Storm made seven errors, allowing the Saints to add a run in the sixth and two in the seventh. Junior right fielder Lexi Majkszak added two hits and two RBIs for St. Charles East, while sophomore center fielder Morgan Beers went 4-for-4. 'Definitely my first four-hit game,' Beers said. 'We had to get the job done, and as long as I had good energy, I was really confident at the plate.' At the same time, Gutesha has faith in Beers. 'She puts the bat on the ball consistently and she's got wheels,' he said. 'Speed don't slump.' Beers drove in the fourth run and also scored the fifth to support Van Dinther. 'Even when she was in those jams, she was still throwing well,' Gutesha said of Van Dinther. 'She was still hitting her spots, and it wasn't like they were barreling it up and hitting gaps, gaps, gaps. 'She was doing her thing.'
Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Eden Corcoran, who misses regular season with broken collarbone, sparks St. Charles East in sectional. ‘My time.'
When St. Charles East's Eden Corcoran suffered a broken collarbone in practice just after the season opener, she immediately feared the worse. Not only would the left fielder likely miss the rest of her senior season, but she isn't planning on playing in college either. Her career was in the balance. 'In the beginning of the season, I was told that I was done for the rest of the time,' Corcoran said. 'I scheduled physical therapy like three times a week and really worked at it. 'The surgery really helped. Now it's sturdier than ever. I tried to get back as fast as I could. Now that I'm back, I'm really happy that I did that.' The Saints are happy too. Corcoran's leadoff triple in the top of the sixth inning Tuesday, followed by a sacrifice fly from Hayden Sujack, gave St. Charles East its first lead in an eventual 3-2 victory over the host Vikings in the Class 4A Fremd Sectional semifinals in Palatine. The Saints (22-15) hung on to earn a berth in Friday's 4:30 p.m. sectional championship game against Wednesday's semifinal winner between St. Charles North (22-9) or South Elgin (28-4). Makayla Van Dinther went the distance in the circle for St. Charles East (22-15), striking out seven and allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk. Morgan Beers added an RBI and threw out a runner at the plate from center field. Holly Smith scored twice and Addison Wolf had two hits. Corcoran's return has lengthened the Saints' lineup and also has coincided with an offensive uptick for the whole team in the three weeks she has been back in the batting order. 'She's been super steady at the plate ever since she came back, consistently moving the ball,' St. Charles East coach Jarod Gutesha said. 'She's playing like she didn't miss the entire season. 'To have her at the top of the order and then have Hayden there and Addison after that, it's a lineup the can generate some runs.' Corcoran's leadoff triple in the sixth came after the Saints tied the game in the fifth and Van Dinther slammed the door in the bottom of the half of the inning. 'I really just wanted to support my team,' Corcoran said. 'I wasn't there for the majority of the season. I just kind of wanted to be there for them, especially in the postseason. 'When I hit that, rounding the bases, I wanted to hype everyone up — get everyone going.' Corcoran pointed to the bottom of the fifth as the crucial turning point of the game. Van Dinther gave up a leadoff homer in the first, but she settled in from there. After she picked up that 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, momentum started to shift. 'We could definitely tell as a team,' Corcoran said. 'Makayla was pitching great the entire time. We could all tell after that we were all in it and they were starting to shut down.' The Saints added an insurance run in the seventh, which turned out to be crucial. Fremd (28-6) cut the deficit to 3-2 on a ball hit to Corcoran, who claims she made the catch with a diving attempt. The umpires thought otherwise. After everything was sorted out, the Vikings had two on and one out. Van Dinther stuck out the final two batters, however, to end the game. 'I think we did a good job of bouncing back from that,' Van Dinther said. 'We talked as a team that we've got this, we're not giving up now, we're just worried about the next pitch. And that was it.' Corcoran doesn't know how many pitches she's got left in her career. With the season suddenly salvaged, though, she's soaking it all in. 'This is my final go,' Corcoran said. 'I'm not playing travel ball this summer. I'm not playing in college. I've played my entire life. I'm going full out for everything. This is my time.'
Chicago Tribune
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
All alone in front of the net, St. Charles North's Kaitlyn Nudera cashes in. And how. ‘Definitely felt the rush.'
A unique moment for St. Charles North's Kaitlyn Nudera unfolded right before her eyes. With the ball at her feet, the junior forward found herself in front of a wide-open net. 'In games like this, there's so few shooting opportunities and so few chances that you could take,' Nudera said of her scoring scenario in the 51st minute Tuesday night. 'I definitely felt the rush. 'Knowing I was going to get that goal really helped with my momentum and confidence.' Nudera converted the game's only goal in the second half , lifting the fourth-seeded North Stars to a 1-0 win over archrival St. Charles East in a Class 3A Glenbard West Sectional semifinal. It was the seventh goal of the season for Nudera, who pulled senior goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby off her line. It helped St. Charles North (11-5-3) advance to play second-seeded Wheaton Warrenville South (18-1-2) at 5 p.m. Friday for the sectional title. Freshman forward Mya Leon had scored all four goals in the previous two games for St. Charles East (19-7-2). She finished her debut season on the varsity with 34 goals. Sophomore Aubri Magana was the primary defender shadowing Leon, who also scored a hat trick for the Saints in a 3-0 win over the North Stars on March 29 in the championship game of the Rose Augsburg-Drach Invitational. It was the third time the two teams played each other this spring and the seventh consecutive season they have played each other in a state playoff game, something that Nudera embraced. 'I think we all went into this game knowing what we could bring and how hard we could push,' she said. 'That's what really solidified our performance and helped us want it even more.' Nudera, a second-year varsity regular, helped St. Charles take second in the state last spring. Despite dealing with the complications of a shoulder injury, she had five goals and three assists. She's gone two better in the goal department this spring as a strong complement to senior forward Kaitlin Glenn. Their ability to cash in on their chemistry makes the North Stars' attack flourish. 'You probably caught up on it, but she's fast,' Glenn said of Nudera. 'Any ball I play her, she is able to slip through and beat defenders or the goalkeeper. 'We work so well together. She has a positive attitude and a strong mindset. It's hard to play 80 minutes. She keeps working, never gives up and helped us win.' Following the graduation of multiple attacking players, Nudera saw the chance to expand on her offensive role for the North Stars. 'I think she just dedicated to challenging herself in the offseason,' St. Charles North coach Brian Harks said. 'She got stronger and more physical, and that has definitely paid off. 'As fast as she is, she gets fouled a lot. She's learned to shake herself off, go back and do it again.' Last year marked the third time in program history the North Stars played in a state championship game. And that history matters deeply to Nudera. 'I'm doing this for the people now and those who played before us,' she said. 'The legacy is something we've been trying to uphold. The people and the program are what made it. 'I've been with some of these people since I first started playing.' According to family lore, Nudera played in her first soccer game at the age of 18 months. She was a trailblazer, the first in her family who take up the sport. Now, Nudera is incapable of considering an alternate path. 'I come from a very competitive family where they get mad if you lose,' she said. 'It always matters if I play as hard as I can. I'd be more upset if I didn't think I brought my full potential. 'Winning or losing, what makes me really happy is how hard I fought.'
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Sophomore utility Jordyn McBride gets cuts in for reigning state champ St. Charles North. ‘Really is a blessing.'
Do you know me? If it ever did, St. Charles North's Jordyn McBride shouldn't have that thought crossing her mind. Coaches, teammates and opponents have become very much aware of the grounded sophomore designated player eight weeks into her debut season on the varsity. 'I think she has this, what's the phrase, high ceiling,' North Stars coach Tom Poulin said of McBride. 'She's got such potential, hits the ball so hard and is strong.' First impressions are important. 'We gave her a pinch hit at West Chicago the first game of the year and she hit a triple that got out in a hurry,' Poulin said. 'Hit the top of the fence and she was around the bases in a flash. 'I remember on the bus ride back telling (assistant coach Thijs Dennison), 'Let's get her a couple more at-bats and see what she does.' On Wednesday, McBride did again what she's been doing, teaming up with senior pitcher Paige Murray in a 6-0 win at crosstown rival St. Charles East that strengthens St. Charles North's hold on first place in the DuKane Conference. McBride's three-hit day included a two-run double and two-run homer, her fifth of the season in her 19th appearance for the North Stars (19-5, 9-2), who have a two-game lead with three to play. 'It really is a blessing,' McBride said. 'Getting the opportunity to play with the upperclassmen on a state championship team made me want to push harder to get a starting spot. 'Just being with this team and coaches has pushed me to be the best I can be at this time.' She's embracing a utility role, adding outfielder to catcher, second and third base from travel. Murray, a pitching star in North's two state championship runs in the past three years, also hit a two-run double Wednesday and is batting .407. She threw a three-hitter with 13 strikeouts and one walk in shutting down the Saints (16-14, 5-6). Senior center fielder Mackenzie Patterson, a Loyola recruit who came up to the varsity as a freshman like Murray, understands McBride's situation. 'It's an honor to make it on varsity, but coming from a travel team, it is hard going from playing every single game to having upperclassmen playing ahead of you,' Patterson said. 'You're thinking, 'Let me have a chance.' 'Jordyn has crawled her way into a spot and she's doing great. She has excelled in every single role coach Poulin has given her.' Early in the season, Poulin figured she might help solidify the bottom of his batting order. 'She has forced us to notice her, keep her in the lineup and move her up,' said Poulin, who batted McBride fourth Wednesday. 'She's settling in right there in the heart of it. 'You look at the stats and she gets on base but she's driving in runs, is confident at the plate and doesn't chase and have bad at-bats.' In 49 at-bats, McBride is hitting .388 with seven doubles and 21 RBIs, both tied for second on the team. She's second in home runs. A multisport athlete since she was 4, McBride credited competitive gymnastics through age 13 for her strength. She still competes for the high school team. Her focus shifted to softball after the family moved here from Wisconsin when she was in seventh grade. 'I've struggled with strikeouts,' McBride said. 'I have issues with being antsy at the plate so this game did help me with my mentality at the plate.' Hitting a home run off Stanford recruit Elena Krause last weekend at Pontiac also helped. 'Gymnastics helps with my mental toughness, everything,' she said. 'As an individual sport, everything is on you and your work ethic. I get a balance of team picking you up and gymnastics, where you know how to pick yourself up. 'We're almost to the tournament so I have to get in the right mindset to have good, quality at-bats and not get over antsy.'
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Ace righty Mason Bruesch uses his background to jump on first pitch as Geneva's leadoff hitter. ‘It's just smart.'
For some reason, Geneva pitcher Mason Bruesch has gravitated toward being a leadoff hitter ever since childhood. So coming into the season, when Vikings coach Brad Wendell was constructing a new-look batting order and replacing an entire starting lineup lost to graduation, the top spot was a quick decision. 'I love leadoff,' Bruesch said. 'I've been hitting there since I was like 12. You get to jump on the first pitch of the game, which is nice.' The sophomore right-hander put it all on display Wednesday. He hit a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning and added an RBI single in the fifth that proved to be the difference for host Geneva in a 2-1 DuKane Conference win over St. Charles East. Bruesch, who broke up the bid for a perfect game by Nathan Moline with his homer, struck out three in six strong innings for the Vikings (21-9). He allowed an unearned run on two hits and two walks. Ethan Gronberg singled and scored and Alex Abraham added a double. Moline was excellent in defeat for the Saints (12-15, 8-9). He went six innings, striking out five and allowing two runs on six hits. Andrew Evans singled in Andrew Zolna for their lone run. When looking at his options before the season, Wendell valued getting his potentially best hitters the most plate appearances possible, putting them in the top three of the order. Bruesch fit comfortably into that group. But even more went into it. 'He does have pop,' Wendell said of Bruesch. 'When he gets that pitch he likes, he rips it. He hits power ground balls through the infield. 'In the end, it was his on-base percentage. He sees pitches. He's competitive with two strikes.' Bruesch leads the team in batting average at .394 and in home runs with four. He's added 29 runs, seven steals, seven doubles and 19 RBIs. That's in addition to going 4-4 on the mound. The high RBI total out of the leadoff spot is a byproduct of the whole lineup clicking. 'He's come up in key situations,' Wendell said of Bruesch, who mans center field when he's not pitching. 'My bottom half has done a really nice job of loading it up for him. 'They're working hard to get on base.' Bruesch said he has an advantage batting leadoff since he's also a pitcher. He knows what he would do to attack a leadoff hitter and he uses that to succeed. 'The guy wants to start off with a strike,' Bruesch said. 'I know what the pitcher's mentality is. It's just being smart.' It wasn't the first pitch of the game Bruesch jumped on. Moline retired the first nine batters of the game. The second time around, though, Bruesch pounced. 'I was definitely seeing it well,' he said. 'He threw me a slider right down the middle and I jumped right on it. I was sitting slider.' It was one of the few mistakes Moline made all day as he works to establish himself as a key postseason contributor for the Saints. 'He's just been executing more and more with each start he's had,' St. Charles East coach Derek Sutor said of Moline. 'That's kind of the thing for him, building confidence for the postseason. 'In the postseason, he's going to be tough.' Bruesch still has a long way to go in his high school career before he'll have to decide what he would prefer to do in college should that opportunity present itself. However that plays out, Wendell is enjoying Bruesch's contributions while knowing it will all shake out in the end. 'Whatever Mason wants to do in the game, he's going to work for it,' Wendell said. 'And he's going to be rewarded.'
