Baseball: Regional semifinal victories for Wauconda, Vernon Hills

Jake Harmon hit a 3-run homer in the top of the sixth inning, and Wauconda's baseball team pulled out a 4-3 win over Johnsburg in a semifinal of the Class 3A Grayslake Central regional on Thursday.

Harmon, whose home run put the Bulldogs up 4-2, earned the win in relief, throwing 2⅓ innings. Brock Glavey, who pitched the first 4⅔ innings, went 2-for-4 at the plate, as did Brett Winkel. Ryan Meyer was 2-for-3, as Wauconda eliminated the No. 8 seed.

No. 10 Wauconda advances to Saturday's 11 a.m. final against top-seeded Grayslake Central (27-6).

Vernon Hills 5, Richmond-Burton 3: At Vernon Hills, the ninth-seeded Cougars broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning of the Class 3A regional semifinal and ended the season of the seventh-seeded Rockets.

Senior Kyle Fasbinder started the Vernon Hills sixth with a single, and pinch runner Sam Polisky moved to second on a wild pitch. With a full count, Jake Morris drove in the eventual game-winner, as he doubled to left field to plate Polisky.

The Cougars were not finished, as Jordan Krasner grounded out, moving Morris to third. Josh Liu then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Morris.

Caleb Thomson earned the win in relief of starter Derek Jarrell, throwing 3 shutout innings while allowing only 1 hit.

Vernon Hills (12-19-1) advances to play No. 2 Carmel (20-10) in Saturday's 11 a.m. final.

Warren 5, Highland Park 3: At Glenbrook North, Nate Rentas' 3-run double highlighted a 4-run third inning, as the Blue Devils edged the 12th-seeded Giants in the Class 4A regional semifinal.

Danny Ahn (double) and Mikey Kocen were both 2-for-3 for No. 6 Warren. Evan Hill (3⅔ innings) and Matt Langevin (3 innings) pitched for the Blue Devils, before Reece Lawler got the final out for the save.

Warren next plays No. 13 Lake Forest in Saturday's 11 a.m. final.

St. Viator 7, Prospect 2: At Mundelein, the defending Class 3A state champs won the Class 4A regional semifinal.

No. 10 St. Viator moves on to Saturday's 11 a.m. final against No. 2 Mundelein (23-8).