Softball roundup: Downers Grove North, St. Charles North, St. Charles East win regional crowns

Senior Ashlynn Durkin pitched a 1-hitter with no walks and 12 strikeouts while helping her own cause, going 4-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBI to lead Downers Grove North (19-14) to an 11-0, 6-inning Class 4A regional softball championship victory over Willowbrook Friday afternoon in Villa Park.

Junior Ella Bonk belted a pair of solo home runs, her 7th and 8th of the season, while Sophia Barofsky and Samantha Lehnherr added 2 hits apiece, as the second-seeded Trojans claimed their second consecutive regional title.

Downers Grove North advances to face West Suburban Silver rival York (22-12) in Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Marist.

St. Charles North 8, Glenbard West 0:

The defending Class 4A champion North Stars (22-9) earned their fifth straight regional title with an 8-0 win over Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn.

Senior pitcher Paige Murray tossed a 1-hitter with 6 strikeouts, while going for 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run and 3 RBI. Ella Heimbuch had 3 hits, including a double, and scored a pair of runs, while Jordyn McBride and Julianna Kouba each had 2 hits.

Faith Maleski added a hit and 2 RBI for the second-seeded North Stars, who advance to Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Fremd.

Alexa Trybus had the lone hit for the Hilltoppers (21-9) with a double.

St. Charles East 6, Glenbard North 4:

The Saints (21-15) eliminated co-DuKane Conference champion Glenbard North (21-6) from postseason play for the second consecutive year following Friday’s 6-4 regional title triumph in Carol Stream.

Every player in the Saints’ starting lineup recorded a base hit, led by junior Hayden Sujack’s 3-hit game. Addison Wolf had a pair of hits and 3 RBI, while Alyse Price and Caleigh Higgins each drove in a run.

Kyli Dunn earned the victory on the mound, while Makayla Van Dinther tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, as the Saints earned their fourth regional title in 5 seasons.

With the win, the 6th-seeded Saints advance to Tuesday’s Fremd sectional semifinals against top-seeded Fremd.

South Elgin 2, Lake Park 1:

Senior pitcher Anna Kiel tossed a 5-hitter with 8 strikeouts to help lift fifth-seeded South Elgin (28-4) to a 2-1 regional championship victory over third-seeded Lake Park (21-8) Friday night in South Elgin.

Chloe Ricard hit a solo home run, while Amber Gnutek added an RBI double for the Storm, which advances to Wednesday’s Fremd sectional semifinals against St. Charles North.

Sophomore Kay Rumachik provided the defensive highlight of the contest for the Storm when she threw out the potential tying run at home.

IC Catholic Prep 10, Timothy Christian 0 (6 innings):

Junior Madelynn Dinino went 3-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBI, while pitching a 3-hit complete game with 10 strikeouts during the Knights’ 10-0, 6-inning Class 2A Lisle sectional championship triumph over Timothy Christian (17-9) Friday.

Sophomore Lexi Russ added 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and 3 RBI, while senior Isabella Jelic drove in 2 runs, and freshman Ema McMillen added 2 hits and an RBI, as the Knights (23-13) captured their second straight sectional title.

IC Catholic Prep will face North Boone in Monday’s 2A Lisle supersectional at Benedictine University.

York 3, Reavis 0:

Taylor McMillen pitched a shutout during York’s 3-0 regional championship victory over Reavis (17-18) Friday in Elmhurst.

With the win, the third-seeded Dukes (22-12) will look to avenge a pair of regular-season losses against Downers Grove North in Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Marist.

Hampshire 10, Harlem 2:

Second-seeded Hampshire (24-10) earned its second regional title in 3 seasons following Friday’s 10-2 home triumph over Harlem (24-9).

The Whip-Purs will face top-seeded Barrington in Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. sectional semifinals at Barrington.

Marist 10, Benet Academy 0 (6 innings):

Lexi Kyros smacked a 3-run walk-off home run in the sixth inning to lift top-seeded Marist (33-2) to a 10-0 regional championship victory over Benet Academy (17-18) Friday in Lisle.

Breanna Hanik added a pair of solo home runs for Marist.

Montini 4, DePaul College Prep 0:

Ariana Macias fired a 2-hitter during Montini’s 4-0 Class 3A regional championship win over DePaul College Prep Friday in Chicago.

With the win the third-seeded Broncos (17-15) advance to Wednesday’s Montini sectional semifinals against No. 2 Fenwick.

Glenbard South 11, Chicago Noble ITW Speer 0:

Glenbard South (12-18) punched its ticket to the sectional semifinals for the second straight season following Friday’s 11-0, 5-inning regional championship victory over Chicago Noble ITW Speer Friday in Glen Ellyn.

With the win the fourth-seeded Raiders advance to Tuesday’s Montini sectional semifinals against either St. Francis or Wheaton Academy.