The North Clay Cardinals advanced to the Elite 8 after their Sectional championship win over conference rival Windsor/Stew-Stras 3-2 in a tight game with a few controversies. North Clay scored the go-ahead run early on a disputed balk call which extended the inning and a big 2-out RBI single extended that advantage to 3-1. Windsor scored what they thought was the tying run in the 6th when they grounded into a force out at 2nd and the errant throw to first allowed the tying runs to score, but the umpires ruled the runner interfered with the throw attempt and 2 outs were called with a runner returned to 3rd. Windsor could not score the tying run. The Cardinals advance to today’s Super-Sectional looking for the school’s first trip to the State Final Four when they take on Steeleville at 11 a.m.
The 2nd game of the day from SIU will feature the 2a super-sectional which will boil down to the Cahokia Conference title game with rivals Columbia and defending 2a state champion Freeburg at 2 pm. Freeburg advanced with a 13-0, six-inning win over DuQuoin to win the Benton Sectional while Columbia eliminated Mater Dei 6-1 at TTown.
Also in 1a, Christ Our Rock’s season came to an end in a tight loss to Carrollton at the Greenville University Sectional.
The 3a regional finals were held over the weekend. Effingham beat Mattoon 3-2 at Centralia, Mascoutah were 3-1 winners over the hosts at Highland, Mt Vernon defended their home turf with a 4-3 win over Herrin and Triad won at home over Waterloo 8-1.
In 4a, Edwardsville won the Alton regional over Quincy 13-3 in six innings. At O’Fallon it was Belleville East besting Belleville West 5-4.
High School Softball:
The prep softball sectional finals were held on Saturday with Super-Sectionals today. IN 1a today at Johnston City, Casey Westfield takes on Trico.
In 2a sectional finals on Saturday, Pinckneyville knocked off the hosts at Carterville 2-1, Tolono Unity beat St Anthony 3-2 at Maroa. Today, Pinckneyville will take on Freeburg at Johnston City.
