Softball: At full strength, Lake Zurich handles Buffalo Grove
Jessica Puccinelli and Elizabeth Chialdikas homered, and Lake Zurich's softball team beat Buffalo Grove 10-2 in a Class 4A regional semifinal at Zion-Benton on Thursday.
Sarah Schnecker was 3-for-4 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI for the sixth-seeded Bears (16-14), who will play No. 3 Palatine for the regional championship at 11 a.m. Saturday. Amanda Guercio, who's been out with an injury, returned to the Lake Zurich lineup and went 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored.
Puccinelli (3 RBI, 2 runs), Chialdikas (2 RBI) and Julia Zaucha (double, RBI) also had 2 hits each for Lake Zurich. Winning pitcher Stephanie Keefe went the distance in the circle, striking out five and allowing 2 walks and 6 hits.
Carmel 6, Loyola 4: At Loyola's Munz Campus in Glenview, Jen Giesey homered for the fifth-seeded Corsairs in their Class 4A regional semifinal.
No. 5 Carmel winner advances to Saturday's 10 a.m. regional final against No. 4 Hersey.
Warren 17, Glenbrook South 2: At Glenbrook North, the second-seeded Blue Devils won big in their Class 4A regional semifinal.
Warren advances to Saturday's 11 a.m. regional final against No. 10 New Trier.
Vernon Hills 9, Northside 3: At St. Viator, the fifth-seeded Cougars advanced to Saturday's 11 a.m. regional final against No. 4 St. Viator.