JOLIET – The St. Francis baseball team used a five-run first inning to defeat neighborhood rival Lewis, 9-2, and give USF coach Brian Michalak his 200th coaching victory Wednesday at Slammers Stadium. The five runs in the first inning were the most in the opening frame since April 18.
Dan Darling sparked two big innings for St. Francis (30-24). His first-inning double was the first of three for the Saints that inning, and he added an RBI single in the fifth to start another three-run rally. The other runs in the fifth scored on bases-loaded walks to Kevin Mampe and Nick Flesichauer (two RBIs). Kyle Burton, Tom Smith and Travis Schoonover each had two hits.
Colton Foote (1-1) earned his first win, going the first four innings and allowing one unearned run. Kyle Massaro threw three innings of scoreless relief before Darling ended things. Kenny King led Lewis (12-34) with three hits in five at-bats. Austin Tittle and Kyle Kane had two hits each.
BADMINTON
Naperville North Sectional: Lincoln-Way East’s Emily Ripp and Becca Ricker qualified for state after finishing fourth in doubles.
SOFTBALL
Plainfield Central 6, Plainfield North 1: Brooklyn Daly tossed a five-hitter, while Jessie Fix (two hits) and Sara Peterson each drove in two runs for the Wildcats. Carolyn Hett homered for the Tigers’ only run.
Joliet West 6, Romeoville 4: Sidney Budzinski had three hits, two homers and four RBIs. Madison Fraser had two hits and two RBIs, and Kiley Robb got the victory. Asia Robinette and Araya Robinette each had two hits for the Spartans.
Lincoln-Way East 10, Homewood-Flossmoor 0: Danielle Drogemuller didn’t allow a hit in six innings, while Ami Ill (three RBIs) and Christine Malito each had three hits.
Lockport 8, Bolingbrook 0: Tara McElligott had four hits and four RBIs. Elena Woulfe added two hits and two RBIs, and Gianna Bauer tossed a three-hitter with nine strikeouts.
Minooka 11, Joliet Central 1: Maria Ruettiger and Stacey Tyrell each had two RBIs, while Lauren Smith and Anna Laschiazza combined on a three-hitter and fanned seven.
Lincoln-Way Central 9, Andrew 3: Brittany Schultz (three RBIs), Kamryn Murphy (three RBIs, homer) and winner Amanda Weyh each had three hits, and Lillian Vellenga added two RBIs.
Lincoln-Way West 11, Thornwood 0: Shannon Bencsik, Madison Eckberg and Sydney Swanberg each homered, while Kaitlyn May got the victory with eight strikeouts.
Providence 2, St. Francis 0: Laila Summers and Kaily Zych combined for the win, while Alyssa Demma had two hits.
Lemont 12, TF North 1: Gia Canterino tossed a four-hitter with 12 strikeouts and went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, while Lucy Conway drove in four runs.
Marian Catholic 9, Joliet Catholic 7: Paige Callans, Kendall Spreitzer, Madison Szymanski and Hannah Antzoulatos each had two hits.
Streator 6, Coal City 2: Blaire Harseim and Abbey Spesia each drove in a run.
BASEBALL
Lincoln-Way Central 7, Thornton 0: Aaron Michalak threw a no-hitter with 15 strikeouts, while Adam Brown had three hits and Tyler Schuerg added two RBIs.
Plainfield Central 10, Joliet West 4: Rocky Pascente drove in three runs, and Nathan Yusko allowed a hit and a run in five innings for the Wildcats. Nicholas Gulliford had three hits and two RBIs for the Tigers.
Lincoln-Way East 11, Stagg 1: Jimmy Quinn had three RBIs, and Joe Prestamer and Connor Alexa combined on a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts.
Lemont 12, Reavis 2: Christian Kraker drove in three runs, Angel Salinas had three hits, and Sean Haughey, Nick Gralla and Ryan Jirik combined to allow two hits.
Andrew 1, Lincoln-Way West 0: Kyler Kopacz allowed five hits and struck out seven.
VOLLEYBALL
Lincoln-Way Central def. Bolingbrook, 25-18, 14-25, 25-16: Eric Phalen (12 digs), Mason Davis (10 kills), Jack Yurkanin (eight kills) and Andy Stevens (23 assists) led the Knights.
Plainfield South def. Joliet Central, 25-12, 25-22: Andrew Colantone (15 assists, five kills), Matt Friddle (four kills), Brandon Langys (nine digs) and Eddie Jakubauskas (five kills) led South.
Lockport def. Stagg, 25-21, 25-22: Justin Elliott (10 kills) and Anthony Pfeiffer (seven kills, eight assists) paced the Porters.
SOCCER
Lincoln-Way West 7, Thornwood 0: Carissa Knees scored two goals, and Erin Toomey posted her 13th shutout.