Softball: Rolling Meadows' 15-run fifth inning sinks South Elgin
Rolling Meadows' softball team scored the most runs in one inning during coach Tony Wolanski's 15 seasons, and it led to an upset win over South Elgin on Wednesday.
Trailing 4-3 going into the top of the fifth inning, the Mustangs sent 21 batters to the plate and 15 crossed it as No. 11-seeded Meadows posted an 18-8 semifinal triumph over No. 6 South Elgin (16-12).
The Mustangs (12-15) advanced to the championship of their own Class 4A regional at 4:30 p.m. Thursday against No. 3 Fremd (19-10).
Junior Sara Benner (2-for-3, 3 RBI) belted a 3-run homer in the first inning and had a double in the Mustangs' explosive fifth inning. It was her 15th homer this season.
Other multiple hitters for Wolanski's club were Sam Allen (2-for-3, 3 runs), Stephanie Thompson (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Kendra Herring (2-for-3) and Parker Cavanaugh (2-fr-4, 2 RBI). Caroline Slowik and Emily Schmidt also had doubles for the Mustangs while Elise Kowalski (9-7) earned the win with 3 strikeouts in four innings.
Fremd 7, Hoffman Estates 2: Fremd senior Grace Stevens (3-for-4) belted a 2-run homer and had an RBI double as the No. 3 seeded Vikings advanced to the championship of the Rolling Meadows regional at 4:30 p.m. Thurdsay against the host and No. 11 seeded Mustangs.
Anna Freveletti also went 3-for-4 for Fremd (19-10) while Sophia Crescio was 2-for-3 and Lexi D'Ambrosio had a hit with 2 runs.
Winning pitcher Nikki Kehoe (10-4) fired a 5-hitter with 5 strikeouts and no walks.
Allura Magsino went 2-for-3 for Hoffman (5-18-1) while teammates Emily Grossi, Giselle Velazquez and Jenny Camiliere each had 1 hit.
Barrington 12, Cary-Grove 2 (5 inn.): Tori Meyer (4-for-4, 4 RBI) belted her sixth homer of the season and Katherine Stagnito hit her second as the No. 1 seeded Fillies advanced over No. 6 Cary Grove (15-13) in the Jacobs regional semifinal.
The Fillies (30-3) will face the winner of today's semifinal between No. 4 Jacobs and No. 5 Dundee-Crown at 11 a.m. Saturday for the championship.
Other multiple hitters for the Fillies were Kendall Peterson (3-for-4, double, RBI), Abbey Jacobsen (3-for-4, RBI), Jenna Patino (2-for-4, RBI) and Rachel Mori (2-for-3, double, RBI).
Catherine McMahon (14-1) went three innings (5 strikeouts) for the win while Meyer struck out one in the final two innings.
It marked the 17th time the Fillies have won 30 or more games in coach Perry Peterson's 26 seasons.
Prospect 15, Glenbard North 11: With the game tied 11-11 after six innings, No. 2 Prospect scored 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the win in the Glenbard East regional semifinal over No. 17 Glenbard North.
Cassie Cunniff (2-for-5) and Lauren Caldrone (3-for-5, double) each belted grand slams for the Knights and Alyssa Cacini (2-for-5, double) had a home run to lead the offense for Prospect (20-8). Teammate Alex Kanter (2-for-4, double) also had multiple hits.
Junior Emalee Depa (8-3) was the winning pitcher, throwing the final four innings giving up 4 hits and striking out four. Claire Doherty struck out four in the first three innings.
The Knights will face the winner of today's semifinal between No. 7 Bartlett and No. 10 Glenbard West at 11 a.m. Saturday for the championship.
Conant 12, Addison Trail 0 (5 inn.): Fifth-seeded Conant (15-9) won its semifinal game of the St. Charles North regional and will face No. 4 St. Charles North on Friday for the championship at 4:30 p.m.
Jackie Burchfield (2-for-2, 3 runs 2 RBI) and Makenna McCarthy (2 RBI) each homered for the Cougars, who also got multiple-hit games from Delaney Szwed (3-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI, triple) and Paige Nallen (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 doubles).
Conant senior Jackie Carlucci fired a 1-hitter with 10 strikeouts.
St. Charles East 10, Schaumburg 0: Top-seeded St. Charles East blanked the No. 18 Saxons (3-22) in the Schaumburg regional semifinal.
Janalee Lyke went 2-for-3 for Schaumburg which also received hits from Tiffani Rudnick (1-for-3) and Talia Torosian (1-for-2).