Softball: Several blowouts in regional semifinals
Crystal Lake South 19, St. Edward 1: Brooke Kuffel had a huge game for the Gators (30-2) at the Class 3A Burlington Central regional, exploding for 7 RBI, as Crystal Lake South scored 17 runs in the first inning. The monstrous inning was driven by singles from Maddie Bush, Skylar Olsen and Evelyn Smith, home runs by Emily Sulikowski and Kuffel, and a double by Kuffel. Alyssa Niketopoulos led the Gators to victory in the circle, surrendering a run on 5 hits over four innings, striking out five and walking none. The Gators will play Friday at Burlington Central against the winner of the Burlington Central and Elmwood Park game Wednesday.
Huntley 15, Auburn 0: The Red Raiders (29-7) made quick work of Auburn behind stellar pitching from Briana Bower. Bower threw a shutout, allowing just 1 hit and striking out eight. Huntley got on the board early with a first inning home run from Sofia Tenuta. Teagan O'Rilley also went deep with a home run in the second inning. The Red Raiders will meet the winner of the Harlem and Rockford East game on Friday at Harlem.
Barrington 12, Dundee-Crown 0: The game slipped away from the Chargers (8-21) early, and with it the hope of extending the postseason. The lone hit on the board for Dundee-Crown was a first-inning single from Cady English. Caleigh Gertz took the loss for the Chargers, throwing 4⅓ innings and allowing 11 hits.
South Elgin 10, Bartlett 4: South Elgin (26-6) snagged a late lead in the Class 4A Fremd regional. With the game tied 3-3 and the Storm batting in the bottom of the fifth, McKenna Eichholz doubled, scoring a run to take the lead for good. Sidney Strama earned the win for South Elgin, lasting 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs while striking out three and walking one. Sophia Salazar recorded the last six outs to earn the save. The Storm will face the winner of Wednesday's matchup between Fremd and Glenbard North at Fremd on Friday.
St. Charles East 11, Conant 0: Katie Arrambide was brilliant in the circle on Tuesday at the Class 4A St. Charles East regional as she threw a no-hitter to lead St. Charles East (21-10) past Conant. Krista Sbarra led the offense for the Saints with 3 hits in 5 at-bats. St. Charles East will take on the winner of Wednesday's game between Streamwood and Schaumburg at St. Charles East on Friday.
Oswego East 10, Batavia 0: The Bulldogs (14-16-1) were no match for the offense and pitching combo of Oswego East on Tuesday afternoon. Noelle Chaney took the season-ending loss for Batavia, lasting 5⅔ innings.