After avenging two earlier losses to Sycamore in a regional final victory on Saturday, the Kaneland softball team has the chance for some more payback in a sectional semifinal.
Both the Knights’ baseball and softball teams start the sectional round Wednesday – the baseball team in the Class 3A Sterling Sectional against Burlington Central at 4 p.m., and the softball team against Sterling in the Class 3A Marengo Sectional at 4:30 p.m.
The Knights’ softball team lost, 5-1, to the Indians on April 26, part of a four-game losing streak that ended with back-to-back losses to the Spartans.
Kaneland (23-7) hasn’t lost since – a span of 12 games.
“It definitely puts an edge on the game,” coach Mike Kuefler said of the loss. “There is a motivational factor with losing to them earlier in the year. We got another shot at them, and that is motivation enough. The girls use that in a positive way. I know I heard them talking about it. It’s a motivational factor.”
The Knights beat the Spartans on Saturday, 10-0, to advance to the sectional. Marengo and Rock Falls also advanced to the sectional, with the winner making the Class 3A Kaneland Super-Sectional at 4:30 p.m. Monday in Maple Park.
Kuefler said the team has found its stride on offense during its winning streak, something on display against the Spartans. Maddie Wheatley had a 3-for-3 day with four runs scored and five RBIs. Donatella Somessi was 4 for 5 and drove in three runs, while Emilee Erickson allowed one hits and walked six in the seven-inning shutout.
In addition to a one-game-at-a-time outlook, Kuefler said the coaching staff has tried to take a step back.
"We have to let the kids play the game they've worked so hard at," Kuefler said. "We can't be any kind of negative factor. So we've just let these girls play."
The Kaneland baseball team will take on Burlington Central – the teams were scheduled to play March 21 but was wiped out due to the weather.
The Knights rolled through their home regional, beating Wheaton Academy, 10-0, and Aurora Central Catholic, 8-4, behind an Angel Acevedo grand slam.
“Burlington Central is a good team, but we feel like we’ve been playing pretty good ball of late too,” said coach Brian Aversa, whose Knights have won eight of their last nine, including their past six. “Our guys have been taking a business-like approach to the game, and that’s the way they’re approaching this next game.”
Aversa said he’s not sure who will start Wednesday – other than it not being Alex Buchanan, who’s over the pitch count limit after his performance in relief of Robbie Dudzinski on Saturday.
Dudzinski, Angel Acevedo and Nik Panico are all among the potential starters for the Knights.