Mattera’s slam sends Lake Zurich into NSC title game

It amounted to the North Suburban Lake Division softball championship game, essentially.

The winner of Tuesday’s game between Lake Zurich and host Zion-Benton would earn the right to play in the NSC championship game.

Megan Mattera made sure Lake Zurich would not be denied.

The Miami Ohio-bound slugger belted a grand slam and pitched a 6-inning complete game, as the Bears avenged Monday’s loss with a 12-2 win.

Lake Zurich (17-7, 9-2) will host Antioch at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the conference championship game.

Tabbetha Bohac also homered for the Bears, while Maria Schroeder went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Kelly Neises was 2-for-5, and Mattera drew 3 intentional walks. Carlee Parsons contributed a double for the Bears.

In the circle, Mattera (14-7) did not allow an earned run, while scattering 5 hits, striking out four and walking four.

Stevenson 5, Warren 4: Courtesy runner Nicole Alesi scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a throwing error, giving the Patriots the walk-off win in the North Suburban Lake game.

Winning pitcher Sam Feder had led off the Stevenson seventh with a base hit.

Emma Patrash and Allie Jobes had triples for Stevenson (15-10-1).

Warren (19-11, 8-4), which had its four-game winning streak snapped, got 3 hits apiece from Sara Shanders (3 stolen bases, 2 runs) and Megan Sowa. Jill Fox was 2-for-3, and Abby Anderson homered and knocked in a pair.

Lakes 15, Round Lake 0: The Eagles won their 11th straight to finish 9-3 in the North Suburban Prairie Division.

Lakes (17-8-2) got 2 hits apiece from Jasmine Rivera, Jamie Dykstra and Sara Braden.

Shannon Cooley earned the win.

Carmel 7, Deerfield 1: Sally Snarski smacked 2 home runs, and Nicole Bitter pitched a 2-hitter with 8 strikeouts for the Corsairs in the nonconference game.

Danielle Pullano also homered for Carmel, while Skyler Zak went 3-for-3. Both Pullano and Snarski had 3 RBI.

Libertyville 8, Lake Forest 1: Danielle Kaczmar went 3-for-4, Samantha Bone was 2-for-3, and Toni Kintzel and Andie Grant both doubled for the visiting Wildcats in the North Suburban Lake game.

Emilie Teitz struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter in earning the win.

Vernon Hills 7, Mundelein 4: Jordyn Comitor doubled twice and drove in 2 runs for the Cougars in the North Suburban Conference crossover.

Megan Meline pitched 4 shutout innings of 1-hit ball, striking out six, and also had 2 stolen bases and an RBI.