By Sean Duncan

DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH - Even as No. 18 Lincoln-Way Central was winning game after game, few thought the Knights could win the rugged Southwest Suburban Blue Conference. And even after the Knights earned a share of one of the state’s toughest conference championships, they were considered an after-thought in the brutally tough Plainfield South Sectional.

On Saturday, Lincoln-Way Central continued to prove people wrong when the Knights shocked No. 3-ranked Downers Grove South 3-0 to win the Downers Grove South Regional title.

“We’ve been called the underdogs all year, but we don’t believe it,” said senior centerfielder Chad Podkulski, who went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run. “We knew what we could do and what we were capable of.”

Lincoln-Way Central (25-9), which claimed its first regional title since 2002, advances to play No. 5-ranked Plainfield North in the Plainfield South Sectional semifinals Thursday. First-year coach Sean Bieterman, who enjoyed tremendous success at Driscoll Catholic before the school closed down last year, isn’t surprised by the Knights’ run of success this season.

“It was 22 kids and five coaches who believed in something today, and I’m really happy that these kids get rewarded for their hard work,” said Bieterman, who has guided the Knights to their first 20-win season since 2001. “I was fortunate to come in here with a great bunch of leaders who really wanted to win. I’m happy to be part of it and be along for the ride.”

Senior right-hander Brian Hennessy (8-3) went the distance for the Knights, yielding nine hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Most importantly, Hennessy did his best work in tight situations. Downers Grove South (31-6) had more than its share of scoring opportunities in the early innings; in fact, the Mustangs had two hits in each of the first three innings. The Mustangs put runners on second and third with no outs in the second. But Hennessy got out of the jam unscathed thanks to a strikeout, a base-running gaffe and a groundout. In the third, Downers South had runners on second and third with one out, but again came up short.

“I just tried to keep my composure and throw strikes,” said Hennessy, who struck out three in the fourth after Downers Grove had the leadoff man on second base. “I knew I wasn’t going to blow my fastball by them. I just let the defense do their work.”

Podkulski said that Hennessy always seems to rise in the tough situations.

“We love when he’s on the mound,” said Podkulski. “We get pumped up when he’s pitching because he’s so competitive and he gets everyone going.”

Downers Grove South has been one of the most successful teams in the state because of its rock-solid defense. On Saturday, the Mustangs committed four errors, two of which contributed to all three of Lincoln-Way Central’s runs in the third inning. After Downers Grove South starter Jacob Rone (10-1) retired the first hitter in the third, Mark Krull reached on an error. Rone got a strikeout before senior centerfielder Chad Podkulski (2-for-3) doubled in a run, and he came around to score on Tom Helwich’s single. After another error, Scott Halicky (2-for-3, double) delivered another run-scoring single. None of the runs was earned for Rone (4.1 IP, 6 hits, 4 K, 1 BB), who suffered his first varsity loss in two years.

Downers Grove South staged a rally in the bottom of the seventh with consecutive singles by John Dillon and Clayton Johnson to lead off the inning. But as Hennessy did all game, he bore down, got a strikeout, then rolled a 4-6-3 double play to end Downers Grove South’s championship hopes.

“When I saw it the ground, I knew we were going to turn [the double play),” said Hennessy.

Downers Grove South finished its impressive season having been ranked in the top 5 for most of the season.

“What can I say?” said Downers Grove South coach Darren Orel. “They made pitches and we didn’t get big hits when we needed them. That’s a good team, and they got it done at the right times.”

Matt Wivinis and Kyle Engel each had two hits for the Mustangs.