Repeat regional title for Christian Liberty
For the second year in a row, Christian Liberty Academy’s softball team is headed to the Class 1A sectional.
The No. 2-seeded Chargers (11-12) topped No. 4 Luther North 6-3 to win the Luther North regional on Friday night at Thillens Stadium in Chicago.
“Oh my God, I can’t even describe it,” said Chargers all-area catcher Megan Krizanovic, who went 2-for-2 with 2 doubles and threw a runner out trying to steal second in a first-and-third situation to end the fourth inning. “It’s an exciting way to end my senior year. Our team has come so far this season.”
Sophomore pitcher Megan Sullivan (11-9) struck out three and walked two to notch the win. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Chargers’ other multiple hitter was freshman Jessica Moriarty who went 2-for-3 with 2 runs.
The game ended when Luther North had the bases loaded and third baseman Beth Cunningham made a sparkling catch of a line drive.
The Chargers advance to the Serena sectional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
They will face the winner of today’s 11 a.m. championship of the Grant Park regional between Grant Park and Illinois Lutheran (Crete).
Fremd 11, Maine South 1 (5 inn.): After its final regular-season game, Fremd honored its eight seniors, including the manager, for the 2012 softball team.
During the speech for senior Rachel Doering, the public address announcer mentioned that the pitcher’s mother Joan was the “team paparazzi.”
Joan almost got to take pictures of a pitching rarity by her daughter.
Rachel (15-4) fell one batter short of a perfect game and struck out eight. Senior Michelle Roberts, who scored on a wild pitch, led off the fourth inning with a triple for the Hawks’ only hit.
Fremd had 11 hits, and three went over the fence.
Megan Hubbard (No. 8), Michelle Mazur (No. 7) and Leigh Farina (No. 5) all belted homers as the Vikings improved to 28-7.
Mandi Matsumoto (3-for-4), Mazur (2-for-4) and Farina (2-for-4) were multiple hitters for the Vikings, who celebrated alumni day (about 15 former players on hand) and feeder program day in addition to senior day.
“I thought the kids played well and Rachel pitched well,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “They did a nice job blocking out the distraction of ‘Tradition Day.’ I’m really proud of them.”