THREE THINGS WE KNOW
No. 1: Bolingbrook is a giant killer. Raiders pitcher Megan Lotarski shut down Benet 7-1in a Class 4A regional final, ending the Redwings’ record-setting season (63 home runs). Lotarski had seven strikeouts, scattered five hits, and despite walking six, allowed only one run on a sacrifice fly. “Last year we lost to them and did not fare well — they run-ruled us,” Bolingbrook coach Jean Ryan-Moak said. Olivia Simpson hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning — her seventh of the season. Jen Jacobson had three hits for the Raiders, who won their first regional title in program history. They’ll meet preseason No. 1 Naperville Central on Tuesday in the Oswego East Sectional.
No. 2: Downers North’s Jaclyn Pasakarnis is as tough as they come. All the sophomore shortstop needed for the trainer to reset her broken nose Saturday was some gauze and a mask. She took a ground ball off her glove to the face during the third inning. She returned in the sixth and made both plays that came her way, helping the Mustangs to a 4-3 Class 4A regional title win over Neuqua Valley.
No. 3: Marist almost became the second highly-rated East Suburban Catholic team to lose in a Class 4A regional final. The RedHawks were down to their last out in the bottom of the seventh when Lyons opted to pitch to All-Stater Brooke Wyderski. The senior shortstop made them pay with a game-tying home run to right-center on a 2-0 pitch. They pulled out the win on a walkoff single by Alexis Rogers in the 10th for a 6-5 victory.
