Softball: Maine West rallies late for win; Glenbard East edges Meadows
Maine West's softball team tuned up for Wednesday's Class 4A regional semifinal at Maine South with an 11-9 win at Vernon Hills on Monday.
The score was tied at 9-9 when Maine West got the lead for good in the top of the seventh on Allison Pearson's double, which served as the game-winning RBI.
Trailing 9-5, Maine West tied the final regular season game with 4 runs in the top of the sixth.
The big inning was sparked by a passed ball, a double by Anne Lipinski and walk to Reilly Olson.
Senior Grace Feldkamp pitched the final 3⅔ innings to earn the win, striking out three. She also went 2-for-5 at the plate with a triple, double and 4 runs.
Other top hitters for the Warriors were Pearson (2-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Amanda Byrne (3-for-5, 3 RBI, double) and Anne Lipinski (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 1 run).
Jessica Steingard went the first two innings and Allison Eby threw 1⅓ innings. Each had 1 strikeout.
Seeded No. 10, the Warriors will face No. 8 Maine South in the Hawks' Class 4A semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday
Grayslake North 13, Wheeling 3 (6 inn.): Sophomore Becky McAtee belted a 3-run homer in the sixth inning and freshman pitcher Emmie LaCaeyse had a double for the visiting Wildcats' 2 hits in the play-in game of the Loyola Class 4A regional.
Grayslake North matched its highest hit total of the year (17) as Grace Brown (4-for-5, double, 3 RBI) belted her tenth homer of the season in the fourth inning. Winning pitcher Emily Mack had 9 strikeouts against the Wildcats (4-23).
Glenbard East 2, Rolling Meadows 1: Glenbard East pitcher Tori Tyler had 16 strikeouts while tossing a 5-hitter at visiting Meadows in the Class 4A Conant regional.
The No. 15-seeded Rams face No. 2 Conant today at 4:30 p.m.
The Rams scored 1 run in each of the first two innings and Emily Schmidt scored Meadows' run in the sixth.
Stephanie Thompson went 2-for-3 for the No. 18 Mustangs (9-25) while teammate Elizabeth Elkins, Emily Schmidt (stolen base) and Caroline Slowik each had 1 hit.
Glenbard West 4, Hoffman Estates 3: No. 19-seeded Hoffman Estates (3-22) led 3-0 but host and No. 14 Glenbard West scored 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hawks pitcher Emily Grossi had 2 hits and Giselle Velazquez added 1 in the play-in game of the St. Charles North Class 4A regional.