Aurora Christian peaking at right time

Better late than never.

Every coach would prefer to have his/her team peaking as it heads into the postseason and that's where April Boldman's Aurora Christian softball team finds itself heading into this week's IHSA Westmont Class 2A Regional.

After a slow start, the Eagles are playing their best ball.

"We've won five of our last six games after starting the season 0-14," said Boldman. "Our biggest win came when we split a doubleheader with Wheaton Academy."

Sixth-seeded Aurora Christian (5-15) opens Wednesday against third seeded Chicago Phoenix Military Academy at 4:30 p.m.

"If you know anything about them, I'd like to know," said Boldman. "At the seeding meeting they were just 3-3 and all of their games were blowouts."

The winner advance to Saturday's regional final against the winner of Tuesday's game between No. 2 Westmont and No. 8 Chicago Our Lady of Tepeyac.

Two sophomores have played key roles and the Eagles' revival, pitcher Naomi Haas and shortstop Shannah Morris.

Haas, who is 3-9, has moved into the No. 1 starter's spot at Aurora Christian and has struck out 51 batters in 80 innins of work. She has a 3.50 ERA.

Morris anchors the defense and leads the offense with a blistering .500 average and team-high 23 RBIs with two home runs. Senior third baseman Megan Cryder is hitting .421 with 16 RBIs and center fielder Bridget Kennedy leads off and hits .375 with nine stolen bases.

No host has been announced yet for Aurora Christian's sectional.

The only other area 2A team, Plano, hosts a regional in the Coal City Sectional but takes to the road tonight for a 4:30 p.m. first-round game at No. 6 Seneca. That's because the Reapers, at No. 8, are seeded lower. Winner gets No. 1 Coal City on Wednesday.

Coach Jeff Anderson's No. 2 Indian Creek squad is the highest seed of three area teams in the Lanark Eastland Sectional. The Timberwolves open Tuesday against the winner of Monday's game between No. 9 Ashton-Franklin Center and No. 10 Ohio.

No. 4 Somonauk and No. 5 Newark meet Wednesday in the Newark Regional.

"We have seven starters back from last year's team that won the school's first (softball) regional and lost to Plano in the sectional," said Anderson, who did have to replace No. 1 pitcher Mel Sebastiano.

Junior Jenna Holm has filled that role, posting an 11-4 record with a 1.50 ERA with 113 strikeouts and 93 innings pitched.

Junior Devin White lead the offense with a .444 average with four home runs and 26 RBIs. Holm is hitting .317, Jennifer Westbrook .315 and Margaret Harvell .293 with 14 RBIs. Class 1A and 2A Softball Postseason Preview