Rockridge (31-3-1) qualified for its sixth consecutive IHSA Softball State Finals with a 6-2 win over Beecher (32-2) in the 2A Eastside Centre Super-Sectional in East Peoria Monday.
The Rockets opened the scoring in the rematch of last year’s state championship game with back-to-back hits from Taylor Dieterich and Kendra Lewis in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Beecher knotted the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single from Elena Kvasnicka.
It was a 1-1 game until the top of sixth inning when Rockridge scored two runs on a Stella Riley bunt that the Bobcats defense threw the ball away twice on. The Rockets led 3-1 entering the seventh and were able to add three insurance runs in the frame. Charley Perkins delivered an RBI single and Morgan Hofer blasted a double to right-center field with two outs to bring home two runs and extend the Rockridge lead to 6-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Beecher got four straight singles to make it 6-2 and brought the tying run to the plate with two outs. Lewis was able to get Taylor Norkus to ground out to shortstop to end the game.
Lewis (22-3) earned the win the pitchers circle for the Rockets, allowing two runs on seven hits in seven innings, while striking out five. She improved her career record to 85-3 and postseason record to 25-0.
Ava Lorenzatti (19-2) was the losing pitcher for Beecher. Rockridge tagged her for six runs on eight hits in seven innings. Lorenzatti finished with 10 strikeouts.
With the win, Rockridge is now two wins away from becoming the first team in IHSA softball history to win four consecutive state championships. The Rockets have won 27 straight postseason games.
Rockridge will play Carterville (36-1) in the state semifinals Friday at 3 p.m., at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. WRMJ’s pregame coverage will begin at 2:30 p.m. The Lions beat Newton, 8-1, Monday at the 2A Johnston City Super-Sectional.
Highlights from WRMJ’s broadcast
Rockridge senior Kendra Lewis
Rockridge junior Morgan Hofer
Rockridge head coach Scott Durbin