Lincoln-Way East softball coach Elizabeth Hyland had nothing but praise for her team’s dominant performance in its 12-0 win in five innings in Thursday’s Class 4A regional final against Plainfield South in Frankfort.

The No. 2-seeded Griffins’ (23-4) hitting ability was on full display against the No. 7 Cougars (16-9) from the start as five players hit home runs.

Outfielder Chloe Geijer got the home runs started in the first inning with a solo shot to right field. After Katie Stewart walked, first baseman Danielle Stewart went yard for a quick 3-0 lead after only four batters.

“We talked about being a first-inning team, and I think they proved that today,” Hyland said.

The Griffins couldn’t maintain the momentum in the second inning but made up for it and much more in the third.

Geijer secured a walk and Danielle Stewart also got on base before Mackenzie Gallagher blasted a three-run home run to add to Lincoln-Way East’s lead.

Shortstop Maddie Pomykalski then drew a walk ahead of Madeline Regan, who hit her own two-run dinger.

Two more Griffins managed to get on base, setting up the third long ball of the inning, from Katie Stewart, to put the game well out of reach at 12-0.

“I feel like we really showed up with our hitting and took advantage of our lead, got ahead and did our best to work for our pitcher,” Danielle Stewart said. “The fact that we can hit up and down [our lineup] is definitely an upside to us, and having multiple people that can come up behind us if one of us may struggle or get an out ... is a great thing.”

Pitcher Taylor Hochman also shined, allowing two hits and a walk while recording seven strikeouts.

“I think her changeup was working beautifully,” Hyland said. “I think her other pitches were working great, and I think she really brought a presence to the mound that we needed today.”

Plainfield South, on the other hand, struggled to muster any offense, even after the team’s last outing in which it scored 14 runs against Plainfield Central.

“It was a rough one,” Plainfield South coach Dan Deacon said.

Deacon added that he was proud of his players for their success this season, especially his three seniors: Myleigh Halmon, Jenna Judge and Meagan Maza.

“They’re going out winners no matter what happens,” he said.

With Thursday’s win, Lincoln-Way East will face the winner of Friday’s regional final between Joliet West and Shepard. That sectional semifinal matchup is scheduled for Tuesday.

As the Griffins advance in the postseason, Danielle Stewart sounded confident her team could go far with its recent play. Lincoln-Way East also shut out Thornwood, 15-0, in a regional semifinal.

“We just need to keep doing that and we’ll have a strong game,” she said.