Wolves sticking with what works

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Today’s Supersectional game might be the most important of any of their softball careers, but Prairie Ridge’s players are content to keep their usual routines.

The Wolves plan to have a light practice this afternoon – knowing that a 7 p.m. matchup against Fremd is looming at 7 p.m. today in the Class 4A Barrington Supersectional – which Prairie Ridge plans to follow with lunch, courtesy of Prairie Ridge athletic director, Patti Hie.

But until warmups begin at Barrington’s Field of Dreams, the Wolves do not plan to overemphasize today.

If they don’t treat it as the next necessary step toward an appearance in the state semifinals, the grandeur that is comes with playing this late into the playoffs might overwhelm Prairie Ridge’s players.

“It’s important that we keep the same routine,” Prairie Ridge coach Mike Buck said. “We know the game is important and very special, but we don’t want to over do it. It really will be as much business as usual as we can keep it.”

Curbing their excitement has worked for the Wolves through the postseason so far. They have managed to maintain their poise, both before and during games, and have made the longest postseason run in the 13-year history of the program.

Quiet confidence might just be the key to facing the Vikings (31-4 overall) for the second time this season.

Fremd beat the Wolves, 11-1, in five innings in Prairie Ridge’s second game of the season. It was a cold day, junior left fielder Anna Patras remembered, and the Wolves made too many mistakes.

“We know they can hit the ball really well,” Patras said. “We’re expecting to see a lot of balls hit to the outfield, and we don’t see too many teams do that against [Prairie Ridge pitcher Johanna Turner]. We’re going to get some good fly ball practice in [today] so that we’re sharp out there.

“But if they hit in the holes and get their hits, they deserve to win. We’re going to really have to keep the errors down.”

The Wolves played an error-free game against Hononegah on Saturday for the sectional title, so Buck hopes their most recent performance will be more indicative of the Wolves play than that during the two teams’ previous outing.

“If you let [Fremd] get on a role, they’ll hurt you,” Buck said. “They’re obviously very fundamentally sound ... [but] if we play the way we have been, we should be fine.”

Fremd pitcher Lena Brottman likely is not to give the Wolves many opportunities, either. Brottman allowed three hits against Barrington on Saturday in the sectional final and shutout the Fillies, 1-0, for her 19th win of the season. Brottman also struck out eight and didn’t issue a walk.

She will be countered by Turner, who is having a stellar junior season. Turner improved to 31-4 with a win against Hononegah. She scattered six hits and struck out seven in eight innings.