Sandburg Climbs Back on Top of the Heap

1. Sandburg (26-6): Sevens were wild as two South suburban powers set up a state-championship like matchup. Sandburg blanked Minooka 7-0 behind the three-hit pitching of Lora Olson. Candice Koch and Lexi Bryant homered. Lockport downed Marian Catholic 7-0. So, you know what that means, right? Sandburg faces Lockport at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lockport Sectional. Last week: No. 2.

2. Richards (30-2): After 28 straight wins, the Bulldogs lost two games in three days. But they quickly righted the ship at the De La Salle Regional. Danielle Kappel blasted a three-run homer and drove in five runs in 15-5 victory over De La Salle. Richards next will face St. Ignatius at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Morton Sectional. Last week: No. 1.

3. Oak Forest (29-4): Too easy? The Bengals were awarded a 7-0 forfeit victory over CICS/Longwood in semifinal play at the T.F. North Regional, then downed Hillcrest 10-0 to take the title. Next, they’ll return to their home turf and square off against a familiar foe. Lemont will come calling at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the sectional opener at Oak Forest. Last week: No. 4.

4. Andrew (27-9): Nobody is hotter than the T-Bolts. Kelly Christner smacked a two-run homer, and Brooke Hofer tossed a four-hit shutout in Andrew’s 2-0 regional championship victory over Lincoln-Way East. The win was the 13th in 15 games for Andrew. Up next is a 4:30 p.m. clash vs. Homewood-Flossmoor on Thursday at the Lockport Sectional. Last week: Unranked.

5. Homewood-Flossmoor (19-14): Look who’s wearing Cinderella’s glass slipper now. The Vikings crashed the postseason party in a big way with a 4-1 upset of Stagg. Sophomore Kaitlyn Shereyk slugged two homers and drove in three runs. Alex Bitto and Brie Cimino each went 2-for-3. Sarah Burke fired a one-hitter and struck out five. Last week: Unranked.

Next best in alphabetical order: Lincoln-Way East, Marian Catholic, Mother McAuley, Stagg, Evergreen Park.

(Covering the following Patch communities: Chicago Heights, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mokena, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos, Tinley Park and the neighboring private schools that draw students from those communities).