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BCR postseason softball update, May 24

Seneca's Audry McNabb hi-fives head coach Brian Holman while rounding third base after hitting a home run on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Seneca High School.

Here’s an update of Bureau County area postseason softball for 1-2A sectionals and 3A regionals

Peoria 2A Sectional

Wednesday’s semifinals

Riverdale 2, St. Bede 0

Rockridge 5, IVC 0

Friday’s championship: Rockridge 11, Riverdale 2

Note worthy: This sectional showdown is a meeting of Three Rivers West rivals. Rockridge swept the season series 1-0 and 6-3. Rockridge is the three-time defending 2A state champion, winning last year’s crown at the Louisville Slugger Complex. Senior ace Kendra Lewis threw a four-hit shutout, fanning 12 with no walks. Taylor Dieterich homered. Riverdale knocked out the defending state champion from 1A, St. Bede, which was bumped into 2A this year.

Next: Rockridge (30-3-1) advances to the East Peoria Supersectional to play the Beecher (32-1) at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 28.

Herscher 2A Sectional

Tuesday’s semifinal: Seneca 12, Coal City 0 (5 inn.)

Wednesday’s semifinals: Beecher 6, Herscher 3

Friday’s championship: Beecher 5, Seneca 4

Note worthy: Brian Holman’s Fighting Irish rolled into the championship game with a 12-0 rout over Coal City, capped by a nine-run top of the fifth inning. Leadoff hitter Alyssa Zellers blasted two home runs and drove in five for the Tri-County Conference champs. ... The Bobcats ride a 20-game win streak, losing only to Lincoln-Way Central 5-1 on April 15.

Next: Beecher (32-1) advances to the East Peoria Supersectional to play Rockridge (30-3-1) at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 28.

Metamora 3A Regional

Tuesday’s semifinals: Metamora 8, Kankakee 1; LaSalle-Peru 5, Streator 4.

Note worthy: Taylor Vescagni and Callie Mertes teamed up in the circle to pitch the Cavaliers to the 5-4 semifinals win over Streator. The Cavaliers will have to get past a Redbirds team on its home field coming off a big 8-1 win over Kankakee.

Saturday’s championship: L-P (17-16) vs. Metamora (28-6), 12 p.m. (postponed from Friday).

Next: The winner advances to the Washington Sectional to play the Bloomington Regional winner at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 28.

Others

Streator Woodland 1A Sectional: Little Ten rivals Newark (25-4) and Serena (21-7) will meet for the sectional championship at 3 p.m. Friday. They split their season series, both by 3-1 outcomes. In Tuesday’s semifinals, Newark routed Grant Park 17-0 while the Huskers blanked Dwight 5-0. Their winner advances to Monday’s Bloomington Supersectional.

UPDATE: Serena won 1-0 in 11 innings.

Kevin Hieronymus

Kevin Hieronymus

Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986 and is Sports Editor of Putnam County Record. Was previously sports editor of the St. Louis Daily News and a regular contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals Magazine. He is a member of the IBCA and Illinois Valley Hall of Fames. He is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL