Before Illiana Christian’s 7-1 Class A regional championship victory over Evergreen Park on Tuesday in Lansing, Sam Hamstra’s parents presented him with a new $200 aluminum bat to replace the one he cracked Monday night.
“This is your graduation present, your birthday present, and a piece of your college tuition,” Sam’s mother, Debbie, told her son.
Illiana’s senior third baseman and cleanup hitter delivered a quick return on his parents’ investment.
He led off the fourth inning with his eighth home run of the season. It broke up Scott Haase’s no-hitter, tied the score at 1-1, and ignited a five-run inning that advanced the Vikings (18-7) into Saturday’s sectional opener against host Montini.
“Sam Hamstra is Illiana Christian’s version of Mark McGwire,” said winning pitcher Dave Ericks, who improved his season record to 11-1 with a two-hit, 11-strikeout, 107-pitch complete game.
Hamstra’s other activities Tuesday included a single, a walk, a steal of home, and a big “thank you” directed to Sam and Debbie Hamstra when he crossed the plate after his homer.
“With an 0-2 count, I was just trying to choke up and put it in play,” Hamstra said. We were down a run, but this is a scrappy team. We come back.”
Ericks and Hamstra had support. Todd Westerhoff scored the final run when he singled and stole second, third and home.
Evergreen Park finished the season 13-17-1.
– Bill Jauss
Class AA
Lockport 10, Naperville Central 3: Mike Serafini had three hits for No. 2 Lockport (34-1).
Andrew 11, Rich South 1: Nick Trzesniak, Rhett Dwyer and Nathan Wright each had two hits for No. 3 Andrew (28-3).
Sandburg 10, Thornwood 0: Chuck Peters had three hits and three RBIs and Bryan Thorson tossed a two-hitter for No. 7 Sandburg (28-7).
McHenry 9, Stevenson 6: No. 9 McHenry (30-1) used a two-run homer by Pete Rasmusen in its non-conference victory.
Chicago Public League playoffs: In the third round, Washington (17-9) shut out Harlan 7-0 as Ron Andrade doubled twice and scored two runs. . . . Rodolfo Angel struck out 10 and allowed just two hits as Morgan Park (13-5) edged Hubbard 2-1. . . . Dion Jefferson and Donald Jones each had two-run triples to lead Chicago Vocational (13-11) to a 4-3 victory over Curie in eight innings.
Hector Rodriguez went 4 for 4 as Steinmetz (12-12) topped Juarez 5-4. . . . Jimmy Rodriguez tossed a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts as defending champion Clemente (18-17) knocked out Taft 9-1. . . . Dennis Butler had three hits and drove in five runs to lead Simeon (30-7) to a 14-1 victory over Bogan. . . . Carver (11-5) rallied from an 11-run deficit to beat Robeson 18-17. Calrenee Smith hit a bases-loaded triple in the fifth to ignite the rally.
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Softball
Morris 5, Morton (Ill.) 4: Top-ranked Morris (32-1), which had committed 20 errors going into the game, had eight Tuesday but won in the eighth when Amy Barr doubled home Stefanie Steele.
Fenwick 10, Riverside-Brookfield 3: No. 2 Fenwick (27-4) won behind Sarah Chillo, who went 4 for 5 and scored four runs.
Buffalo Grove 5, New Trier 2: Lindsey Hamma had two hits and two RBIs to lead No. 3 Buffalo Grove (30-2).
Downers Grove South 4, Stagg 3: Carolyn Schneider’s two-run double in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the game-winner for No. 4 Downers South (28-6).
Thornwood 4, Bradley-Bourbonnais 2: Jenni Lazuka had a two-run triple to pace No. 6 Thornwood (24-10).
Richards 4, Andrew 0: Carole Gorecki fired a one-hitter with eight strikeouts for No. 7 Richards (24-9).
Glenbard North 4, Schaumburg 3: Kathy Rup had two hits, including a home run, to spark No. 9 Glenbard North (27-7).
Barrington 8, Mundelein 0: Robin Martin gave up one hit and Christine Lindberg hit a two-run homer for No. 10 Barrington (24-10).
Chicago Public League playoffs: In the first round, Veronica Martinez had two hits and five RBIs as Mather (21-8) rolled to a 29-3 victory over Englewood. . . . Savannah O’Hagin allowed just three hits and struck out 10 as Kenwood (13-0) routed Corliss 10-0. . . . Aisha Knight had three hits and three runs scored as Clemente (19-2) cruised past Lake View 20-5. . . . Andrea Arnold hit two homers and drove in three runs as Curie (15-1) rolled past Harper 20-5.
Class A regionals
Evergreen Park: Sarah Reusnow allowed three hits and struck out six as Evergreen Park (22-8) blanked Seton 3-0 for the title.
Manteno: Kim DeYoung threw a one-hitter as Illiana Christian (22-7) won its sixth straight regional title in its 3-1 victory over Manteno.
Volleyball sectionals
Illiana Christian: In the first round, Tom Nelson’s five kills and five blocks helped Andrew (22-7) defeat Washington 15-5, 15-8. . . . Todd Adams had seven kills and Joe Anderson added four kills and 12 assists as Joliet (8-19) prevailed 15-11, 15-11 over Lockport.
Highland Park: Tim Warner had seven aces as No. 7 Glenbrook North (23-5) cruised to a 15-1, 15-1 sweep of North Chicago. . . . Jamie O’Malley had 11 kills and Pat Fahey added seven kills and four blocks as Loyola (24-12) swept Deerfield 15-11, 15-8.
Downers Grove South: Wheaton-Warrenville South (25-7) eliminated Downers North 15-7, 15-5 with Erik Barton’s 11 kills.