In the IHSA Class 3A Plano Regional championship game heard live on WSPY, 4-seed Plano saw its season come to an end with a 10-0 loss to top-seed Morris. McKenzie Strausberger recorded the lone hit for the Reapers and also took the loss in the pitcher’s circle after allowing six runs, three earned, on nine hits with no walks and one strikeout over four innings. Elizabeth Hansel worked one inning in relief, surrendering four runs, two earned, on four hits with three walks. Plano finished the season with a 9-22 overall record and went 3-11 in Kishwaukee River Conference play.
In the Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional championship game, top-seed Yorkville defeated 8-seed Wheaton Warrenville South 12-9 to capture the regional title. Alyssa Muhlbach, Brooke Ekwinski, Liv Lathen and Austyn Strike each collected two hits for the Foxes. Muhlbach doubled and homered while driving in two runs and scoring twice, Ekwinski added an RBI and a run scored, Lathen drove in four runs and Strike contributed an RBI and scored two runs. Yorkville advances to face 4-seed Plainfield East in the sectional semifinal Tuesday, May 26, at Yorkville High School with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
In the Class 4A Oswego Regional championship game, 2-seed Oswego shut out 7-seed Benet Academy 5-0 to win the regional crown. Jaelynn Anthony tossed a one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts for the Panthers. Offensively, Betsy Jack drove in a run while Adalynn Fugitt added two RBIs. Oswego moves on to the sectional semifinal Wednesday, May 27, at Yorkville High School with first pitch set for 4 p.m.
In the Class 1A Serena Regional championship game, 4-seed Serena upset top-seed Marquette (Ottawa) 2-1 in nine innings to claim the regional championship. The Huskers were down to their final out before Brynley Glade doubled and later scored on a line-drive hit by Anna Hjerpe to tie the game at 1-1. Serena then scored the winning run in the top of the ninth on a Crusaders error. Cassie Walsh pitched all nine innings for the Huskers, allowing one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Serena advances to the sectional semifinal Wednesday at Indian Creek High School with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
In the Class 1A St. Edward Regional championship game in Elgin, 4-seed Aurora Christian fell 12-2 in six innings to top-seed St. Edward, ending the Eagles’ season. Grace Kendall led Aurora Christian with two hits, including a double, and drove in both runs. Ella Owen also had two hits while Autumn Sepulveda added a hit. Kaytlin Kelly and Jada Vizcaya each scored a run in the loss.
In the Class 2A Marian Central Catholic Regional championship game in Woodstock, 7-seed Aurora Central Catholic upset 3-seed Marengo 4-3 to win the regional title. Grace Grunloh led the Chargers with two hits, including a double and triple, while scoring a run. McKayla Edwards doubled and scored, Angelena Russo added a hit and RBI, and Morgan Vaghy drove in a run and scored. Meghan Buckley also crossed the plate in the victory. Corina Maratea earned the win after pitching a complete game, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts. Aurora Central Catholic advances to face top-seed Stillman Valley in the sectional semifinal Tuesday, May 26, at Marengo High School with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.