By Bobby Narang
The high school sports season is entering the last few days, so action is heating up for Chicagoland teams in several sports.
In softball, the four-class system concludes with Class 3A and Class 4A competing the coming weekend at the luxurious Louisville Slugger complex in Peoria. In 3A, Antioch is making its third straight trip to the final four, set to battle Waterloo Friday, June 7.
The Sequoits, who finished second last season and third in 2022, are looking for the program’s first State championship, led by senior pitcher and Michigan State University recruit, Jacey Schuler.
The Sequoits (28-5) defeated Sycamore, 8-2, in Monday’s Kaneland Supersectional.
“It’s a bit of a relief going back to State this year after we graduated some big-time players last year,” Antioch head coach Anthony Rocco said. “We’re really young this year. Our first seven spots we have six sophomores and a freshman and Jacey Schuler. But we hit, so we win. I’m proud of these kids. They worked so hard and are playing awesome.”
•Fenwick battles Pontiac in the first 3A semifinal Friday, sparked by senior pitcher Sophie Stone. The Friars (17-9) are heading downstate for the first time since 1998 after Stone pitched a seven-hitter and struck out five in a 2-1 thriller over local rival Nazareth Academy.
•Mundelein knocked off Huntley, 2-1, to reach the 4A State semifinals, to take on Marist Friday at 3 p.m. and Oswego and St. Charles North are set to square off at 5:30 p.m. in the final game Friday. Oswego scored five runs with two outs in the fifth inning to pull out a 5-2 victory over Minooka in the Illinois Wesleyan Supersectional.
Oswego junior Aubriella Garza belted a two-run home run and Maddie Hernandez added a go-ahead two-run double in the Panthers’ thrilling comeback. Oswego (28-9) is on a tear entering the State semifinal, having won the program’s first regional championship in 37 years and to make the program’s first trip to the State tournament.
“We’ve made history,” Hernandez said.
Garza, a Northern Illinois University recruit, led the way with her 10th home run of the season and the Panthers’ 46th as a team.
•The North Stars are a team to watch after a 4-0 victory over Young in the supersectional to reach the State tournament for the second time in three years. The North Stars, who won the 2022 State championship, were led by star junior pitcher, Paige Murray, who tossed a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts against Young Dolphins.
“I just had so much confidence heading into this game, especially after having amazing outings the last two games against really great teams,” Murray said.