Softball: Bonaguidi, Antioch stay hot against Vernon Hills

Especially when the sun is high and high-fives are shared with teammates afterward, Antioch pitcher Stephanie Bonaguidi welcomes those five-inning softball games.

With Bonaguidi dealing in 80-degree weather and an offense providing plenty of run support for the junior righty, Antioch jumped on Vernon Hills early in Thursday's Class 3A Wauconda sectional semifinal. The second-seeded Sequoits rolled to a 10-0 win, marking the fifth game in a row that they won in only five frames.

"The heat's draining, so it's nice having these short games," Bonaguidi said. "They're fun anyway."

Speaking of hot, Antioch (27-11) rolled up 12 hits, including four for extra bases, in earning a berth in Saturday's 11 a.m. sectional final against No. 4 Carmel (24-11).

"The bats are on fire right now," Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. "We executed. That was a great defensive game."

Jill Foote singled for one of Antioch's dozen hits, and she also shined at third base. The junior fielded 4 groundballs cleanly and made accurate throws across the diamond. She also snatched Rose Ferolo's line drive to end the game.

"Jill made a lot of great plays," Rocco said. "She took her time and made easy throws."

No. 6 Vernon Hills, which had upset Lakes to win its own regional, ended its season at 16-20.

"I think we were a little distracted," Cougars coach Jan Pauly said. "We brought a little different energy level to the field today."

Antioch had plenty of enthusiasm and focus. Bonaguidi came out firing early, striking out a pair in the top of the first inning.

Antioch beat Vernon Hills twice in North Suburban Prairie action, but the first game required eight innings.

"We talked about how they always step it up in the playoffs, so we have to play our game and not take them for granted," Bonaguidi said of the Cougars. "We were just worried about not playing to the best of our ability, but we did."

Antioch took advantage of an error to open the scoring in the bottom of the first, as the first of Annie Wagner's 3 hits scored Foote. Fifth-place hitter Deighton Butenschoen then homered to left to make it 3-0.

"I just recently changed my stance," said Butenschoen, who's bent over more in the box. "Having my teammates all cheering for me really helped me hit that (home run). It felt really nice."

Carlie Gaylord, Wagner and Megan Lawrence all doubled, as Antioch scored 3 runs again in the second, knocking out starting pitcher Danielle Comitor, who allowed 7 hits and 6 runs but no earned runs.

Bonaguidi (4 strikeouts) issued a one-out walk in the fifth, then was pulled in favor of Hannah Cook, who retired the next two hitters.

"I pull real quick in the playoffs," Rocco said. "We got three pitchers (Bonaguidi, Cook, Katie Sorenson). I'm confident throwing any of them."

Wagner finished 3-for-3 with 4 RBI. Gaylord (2 RBI) and Lawrence both went 2-for-3.

Anna Cirone's single leading off the third was Vernon Hills' only hit.

The Cougars lose Ferolo, Comitor, Dana Meline and Sami Saliba, all of whom hustled to graduation ceremonies at the high school after the game. All four were four-year varsity players.

"We're going to miss the four seniors with their leadership and talent," Pauly said. "But there are good things to come."

Antioch did not get to see Carmel's 6-2 win over Wauconda on Wednesday, as the Sequoits were practicing.

"My dad came and saw it," Butenschoen said. "He said it's definitely going to be a good game."