Plainfield East put together a four-run rally in the top of the seventh inning to extend its season with an 8-4 Class 4A Sectional 6 semifinal win over Neuqua Valley on Wednesday in Naperville.
Ryan Skiba knocked in two runs with on a go-ahead single in the crucial seventh for the Bengals, securing a spot in Friday’s sectional championship game against Yorkville.
Jacob Eason was 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs in the win, Caden Dyhr was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Christian Michelle was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.
Providence 5, Marist 2: At Chicago, the Celtics’ bats came alive at just the right time as they picked up four runs in the top of the seventh inning to take down Marist and earn a shot at a Class 4A sectional title.
Cain Headrick changed things with a swing of the bat for Providence, smoking a grand slam to vault his team into the lead in the final inning. Ryan O’Neil also homered for the Celtics, and Kyle Hussey tossed six strong innings to earn the win.
Providence will square off with Homewood-Flossmoor on Friday in Homewood for the sectional title.
Homewood-Flossmoor 9, Lincoln-Way East 6: At Frankfort, the Griffins suffered a season-ending loss at home in the semifinal round of the Class 4A sectionals.
A fourth inning in which East allowed seven runs to cross the plate made the difference in the loss.
Jake Petak and Alex Stanwich homered for the Griffins, and Maxton Polad had a double, an RBI and a run scored.
Coal City 10, Manteno 9: At Manteno, the Coalers secured the opportunity to host a Class 2A sectional championship game with a high-scoring win over a conference rival on the road.
Coal City pushed across seven runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a permanent lead over the Panthers.
The Coalers will take on Ottawa Marquette on Friday for the sectional title.
GIRLS SOCCER
Joliet Catholic 7, Oak Forest 1: At Joliet, the Angels turned in a commanding display in the Class 2A sectional semifinals.
The victory advances the Angels to Friday’s sectional championship match, where they will take on Lemont in Lemont.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Lincoln-Way Central 29, Washington 2: At New Lenox, the top-seeded Knights continued their rampage through their postseason bracket with an overwhelming victory at home over the fourth seed, Washington.
The Knights are 16-0 and will take on the winner of Thursday’s sectional semifinal game between Sandburg and Lockport in the title game.
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Class 1A Seneca Sectional: At Seneca, the sectional host Fighting Irish took first place with 106 points, followed by Westmont (95) in second and Chicago Christian (77) in third.
The Irish took first in the 4x100-meter relay and second in the remaining three relays as their squads led the charge to the title. Carson Collet finished first in the pole vault and second in the triple jump, while Nathan Grant was second in the high jump for Seneca.
Dwight’s Abe Rieke had an excellent day for the Trojans, taking first place in the shot put and discus.
Wilmington’s Chase Juster finished first for the Wildcats in the 110 high hurdles.
Class 2A Geneseo Sectional: At Geneseo, Coal City finished in sixth place with 34 points, and Morris took ninth (25.5) at the sectional. Princeton (112.5) took first.
Asa Cooper was a highlight for the Coalers, winning the triple jump and finishing second in the 100 and the long jump, while Morris’ Kaden Welch was second in the 1,600.
WRESTLING
Lincoln-Way Central 42, Naperville North 13: At Naperville, the Knights picked up a commanding victory in nonconference action.
Nathan Knowlton, Joey Malito, Matthew Hollingsworth and Fabian Villasenor won by fall for the Knights (14-1).