Rally in the 6th does the job for host Antioch in regional win over St. Viator
Top-seeded Antioch won its own Class 3A softball regional, and ninth straight, by defeating St. Viator 2-1 Friday at Lakes High School.
Sophomore pitcher Jacey Schuler went 2-for-3 with a triple and also struck out 15 with a 3-hitter as Sequoits coach Anthony Rocco won his 11th regional crown.
Antioch (26-3) broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning when Nicole Kutcher (2-for-2, 1 run) produced the go-ahead RBI.
The Sequoits scored first with two outs in the bottom of the third when sophomore Emily Brecht singled and later scored on an error.
In the sixth, the Lions' Allison Ardito led off with a walk and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Jillian Bollard. Lions pitcher Grace Gerdes-Grabowy, who scattered 9 hits, then doubled home the tying run.
Antioch staged the winning rally after two were out in the sixth.
Three straight singles by Aubrey Ultsch (2-for-3), Syerra Gilmore and Kutcher led to the winning run.
"This was a great softball game," said Lions coach John Scotillo, whose young team finished 9-18. "We got better and matured throughout the year. We played some of our best ball this week and as a staff we are very proud and excited about our future."
Lane Tech 9, Maine West 0: No. 2 seeded Lane Tech held the No. 7 Warriors (12-10) to 2 hits in the Class 4A Evanston Regional championship. Freshmen McKayla Garnett (double) and Kaitlyn Marsh had the hits for West.
Warren 11, Palatine 1: No. 3 seeded Warren (23-7) earned the win in its own Class 4A regional championship over the No. 5 Pirates (14-14) in Gurnee. The Blue Devils outhit the Pirates 11-4 and led 6-0 after two innings.
Glenbard North 6, Fremd 4: No. 6 seeded Glenbard North (16-7) beat No. 4 Fremd in Palatine. The Vikings finished 23-8.
Lakes 4, Carmel 1: No. 11-seeded Lakes (6-19) beat No. 4 Carmel (16-13) in the championship game of the Class 3A Grayslake North Regional.
Maine South 5, Leyden 0: No. 4 seeded Maine South (15-1) blanked No. 4 Leyden (10-16) at the Leyden Class 4A regional championship held at the Bandits Stadium in Rosemont.