Softball roundup: Fremd, Stevenson, Hersey, Carmel, Grayslake North claim regional crowns
Senior Hailey Lucas threw a 4-hitter with 14 strikeouts to lead top-seeded Fremd past No. 9 Conant 3-1 in the championship game of the Class 4A Glenbard East regional.
Coach Josh Teschner's Vikings (28-5) will face St. Charles East in the 4:30 p.m. semifinal of the Fremd sectional on Tuesday.
It was the Vikings' 23rd regional crown in program history and third under Teschner in the last five seasons.
Avery Sadorf (2 hits) singled in the bottom of the third inning to give Fremd a 2-1 lead.
Lucas' home run in the fifth inning made it 3-1.
Conant pitcher Dani Gennell struck out six and walked none.
The bottom of Conant's lineup accounted for all 4 of its hits. Grace Reed delivered a clutch two-out RBI in the second inning for the Cougars (15-9).
"I was proud of our team for scoring first against a tough Fremd team and an elite pitcher as well," said Conant coach Allie Bauch. "They made several key defensive plays, particularly with runners in scoring position. We battled hard and created opportunities for ourselves but just couldn’t capitalize enough to come out on top. Still, I’m incredibly proud of the resilience our team showed throughout every game this season."
at Glenbrook North: Top-seeded Stevenson won its second straight Class 4A regional and 12th in program history with a 10-0 victory over No. 9 Palatine.
Stevenson will face Mundelein in the Patriots sectional.
Pats pitcher Ava Potempa struck out the side in the first inning to set the tone.
She finished with 12 strikeouts while tossing a 3-hit shutout in six innings.
Aubrey Jepson belted a 3-run homer to right field for a 3-0 lead.
The Patriots scored 5 runs on 5 hits in the bottom of the fourth, getting a triple from Alyssa Shimanski and a double from Sophia Becker, who led the Patriots' offense by 3 for 3.
at Niles North: Hersey (19-10) won its seventh regional title and first since 2019 with a 3-2 victory over Prospect.
Reese Izenstark homered and had all 3 RBI for the Mid-Suburban League East champs, who defeated Prospect for the third time this spring.
Winning pitcher Ari Patel (4 innings) and Gabby Felman (3 innings ) combined in the circle.
Hersey faces Loyola at 4 p.m. in Wednesday's sectional semifinal at Stevenson.
Prospect coach Krytsian Mackowiack was proud of her team that finished 22-11.
"Megan Maresco pitched a great game, allowing only 4 hits to a great hitting team," she said. "It was a disappointing end, but I have enjoyed every minute with this team. They fought hard."
Lina Calvacca went 2-for-3 with an RBI at the plate and Gina Falls had the other RBI for Prospect.
at Carmel: Carmel (19-9) won its own Class 3A regional with a 14-3 (6 innings) win over Amundsen.
It was the eight regional title for Carmel and second in three years.
Grace King, Grace Brown and Kaitlyn Konen led the offense while Bella Cameron tossed a 4-hitter with 4 strikeouts.
"We played great in all aspects of the game today," said Corsairs coach Nicole Parney. "We came locked in ready to go from the first pitch. Kate Buckingham made stellar catches in the outfield and Bella Cameron held it down in the circle."
Kaitlyn Konen had a 3-run homer for Carmel and Grace King had 2 homers, including a 3-run shot to end the game.
"The team had amazing energy that carried us and motivated each other throughout the entire game," Parney added.
Carmel faces Grayslake North at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Class 3A Grayslake Central sectional semifinal.
At Lakes: Grayslake North freshman Riley O'Brien threw a 5-inning, 1-hitter with 11 strikeouts as the Knights (17-11) posted a 10-0 decision over Lakes (12-13) in the Eagles' Class 3A regional title game. She also went 1-for-2 and had 2 RBI.
“My team is young but strong," said Knights coach Amanda Rodriguez. "I have five freshmen in the lineup and collectively they hit .500 in the game. My entire team, from my athletes on the bench to everyone on the field consistently works hard and supports each other. This is a selfless team and that plays a key role in our success. From freshman through seniors, we support each other and want to see each other succeed."
At Cary-Grove: Antioch won its 12th consecutive regional with a 6-3 victory over the host Trojans in Class 3A.
Coach Anthony Rocco's Sequoits improved to 22-13 and will face Resurrection on Tuesday in the 4:30 p.m. semifinals of the Grayslake Central sectional.
At Maine South: Lane Tech (21-12) posted a 13-10 victory over the host Hawks in the Class 4A regional title game in Park Ridge.
"Congratulations to Lane," said Hawks coach Emmy Pasier, whose team finished 10-11. "They played a solid game.
"I am very proud of the fight our girls had today. We were down big a few times and we fought back every time. On the field, we had a few too many mistakes that Lane took advantage of early in the game and unfortunately we could not recover."
at Buffalo Grove: No. 6 seeded Mundelein won its 19th regional and second straight with a 6-0 win over No. 4 Libertyville in the Class 4A regional title game.
Sophia Zepeda earned the win for Mundelein, throwing a 2-hit shutout and striking out 18 while walking five.
Kieley Tomas and Taylor Pyke each collected 2 hits for Mundelein. Avi Perez led the Mustangs with 3 RBI.
Mundelein faces Stevenson at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals of the Stevenson sectional.