The Times Softball Notebook: Postseason routes released, conference races heating up, state rankings

The IHSA recently released its postseason softball sectional assignments.

Within a larger sectional complex, teams have been assigned to one of two geographic subsectionals, and within sectionals and sites that have been determined, the four regional hosts have nearly all been decided.

Regionals start for 1A/2A on May 15, while 3A/4A begin on May 22.

Ottawa's Ryleigh Stehl lays down a bunt against Serena on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Ottawa High School. — Ottawa's Ryleigh Stehl lays down a bunt against Serena at Ottawa High School. (Scott Anderson)

Ottawa to host regional in 3A

Ottawa, along with Providence Catholic, will be a regional host inside of Subsectional B of the 3A Lemont Sectional, while Streator has been assigned to Subsectional A of the Metamora Sectional.

The other teams joining Ottawa in Subsectional B are Illinois Math and Science Academy, Crete-Monee, Joliet Catholic Academy, Kankakee, Morris, Providence Catholic and Plano.

The Pirates, who defeated Morris 7-5 in nine innings Tuesday and will rematch May 8, also have defeated Plano twice (11-1 and 17-1) and lost to JCA (10-6).

In the Metamora Subsectional A, the Redbirds and Rock Island will host regional championships. Streator’s opponents may include Dunlap, Galesburg, Geneseo. La Salle-Peru, Metamora, Peoria Richwoods or Rock Island. The Bulldogs have lots to L-P (11-1) and Metamora (26-1).

Seneca's Kennedy Hartwig (right) runs to home plate as she is greeted by her teammates after hitting a home run against Putnam County on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Seneca High School. — Seneca's Kennedy Hartwig (right) runs to home plate as she is greeted by her teammates after hitting a home run against Putnam County. (Scott Anderson)

Tough roads for 2A teams

Seneca is part of Subsectional B of the 2A Pontiac Sectional with regional hosts Beecher and Coal City, along with Reed-Custer, Chicago Catalyst/Maria, Chicago Perspectives/Leadership, Chicago South Shore International College Prep, Manteno, Chicago Christian, Peotone and Wilmington.

The Fighting Irish have defeated Wilmington 6-2 and still have Coal City (4/26), Reed-Custer (5/5) and Manteno (5/13) left on their schedule.

Sandwich and Somonauk/Hinckley-Big Rock/Leland are both in Subsectional B of the 2A Stillman Valley Sectional with regional hosts Johnsburg and Richmond-Burton, and Aurora Central Catholic, Aurora Rosary, Elgin St. Edward, Wilmette Regina Dominican and Woodstock Marian Central.

The Indians, in their second game of the season, topped the Bobcats, in their first contest of the campaign, 7-3.

Fieldcrest, along with Brimfield, is a regional host in Subsectional A of the 2A Taylor Ridge Rockridge Sectional. Others in the subsectional include Aledo Mercer County, Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central, El Paso-Gridley, Eureka, Farmington, Knoxville, Dee-Mack, Monmouth-Roseville and Tremont.

The Knights have beaten Eureka (13-8), lost to Dee-Mack (7-3) and play EPG on May 26.

Marquette’s Lindsey Kaufmann avoids the tag by Princeton’s Malaya Hecht on a stolen base in the 2nd inning on Monday, March 27, 2023 at Marquette. — Marquette’s Lindsey Kaufmann calls for time after beating the tag by Princeton’s Makayla Hecht for a stolen base on Monday, March 27, 2023 in Ottawa.. (Tom Sistak)

Times-area 1A teams in same sectional

Marquette, Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell, Serena, Newark and Earlville are assigned to the 1A Melrose Park Walther Christian Sectional.

Marquette and Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell are in Subsectional B, with Dwight and Grant Park being the regional hosts, and Chicago Tilden, Crete Illinois Lutheran, Donovan, Gardner-South Wilmington, Kankakee Grace Christian Academy and St. Anne other possible opponents.

The Crusaders have defeated Dwight twice (13-3 and 11-1) and slipped past WFC 3-2 on Tuesday with a rematch scheduled for Thursday. The Warriors have wins over Grant Park (13-0) and GSW (13-2) while splitting with the Trojans, winning 6-4 and falling 4-3.

Serena and Newark are regional hosts inside Subsectional A, with other teams including Earlville, Aurora Christian, Chicago Hope Academy, Chicago Horizon/McKinley, Chicago Orr, Melrose Park Walther Christian, Indian Creek and Yorkville Christian.

The Huskers have two wins over the Red Raiders (13-2 and 15-0), victories over Aurora Christian (17-1) and Yorkville Christian (15-0) and still have Newark (5/1 and 5/2) and Indian Creek (4/26 and 5/12) on the schedule.

The Norsemen have defeated Earlville (15-0 and 19-0) and Indian Creek (13-4 and 9-1).

The Red Raiders also have dropped two games to IC (13-2 and 13-1).

Serena's Makayla McNally makes a catch in center field as teammate Lanee Cole backs her up on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Ottawa High School. (Scott Anderson)

Thrilling conference finishes

A number of Times-area teams are right in the middle of the race for their respective conference titles with important games on the horizon.

In the Interstate 8, La Salle-Peru heading into this week holds the lead with a 7-0 mark, with Ottawa at 9-1 and Morris at 7-3. The three teams all still have a game against the other.

Coal City at 10-0 has the upper hand In the Illinois Central Eight, with Manteno and Herscher tied for second with 8-2 marks, but both with a pair of losses to the Coalers, while Streator is 6-4.

Seneca and Marquette are 9-1 in the Tri-County Conference after their recent split, while Dwight sits at 6-3 and WFC at 5-5. The Irish still have two games each with Lowpoint-Washburn (Tuesday and Thursday) and Dwight (May 8 and 9). The Crusaders still have two games against Midland (Thursday and Saturday) and Putnam County (May 8 and 9).

Newark (9-0) and Serena (7-0) are still unbeaten in Little Ten Conference play but face each other this week in a huge two-game series.

Newark, Ottawa, Seneca, Marquette ranked in top 12

In the latest Illinois Coaches Association state rankings, Newark is No. 2 and Marquette No. 8 in Class 1A, Seneca is No. 12 in 2A, and Ottawa is No. 6 and La Salle-Peru No. 8 in 3A.