Rockridge (37-1) defeated St. Anthony (24-4), 6-2, Friday to advance to the IHSA 2A state championship game.
Kori Needham opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI double. St. Anthony tied the game in the top of the second with a solo home run from Abby Hatton.
The Rockets scored four runs in the bottom of the second on RBIs from Morgan Hofer, Kendra Lewis and two from Payton Brown to go ahead, 5-1.
St. Anthony cut the deficit to 5-2 with a run in the top of the fifth. The Rockets answered with another run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI groundout by Mikaylin Hofer.
Kendra Lewis (24-0) was the winning pitcher. She allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings. Lewis finished with six strikeouts.
The Rockets will look to win their third straight state championship Saturday afternoon against Beecher (36-4). The Bobcats beat Johnston City (31-6), 7-3, in the semifinals Friday.
First pitch for Saturday’s 2A state championship game is 3:30 p.m. Pre-game coverage on WRMJ starts at 3 p.m.
Highlights from WRMJ’s broadcast
Rockridge head coach John Nelson
Rockridge senior Kori Needham