Freshman Jessica Headley struck out eight and allowed just three singles Thursday as Lane Tech advanced to the Public League softball championship with a 5-1 win over Mather at Illinois-Chicago.
Lane Tech will play Washington, a 15-7 winner over Hubbard in Thursday’s second semifinal, at 3 p.m. Tuesday at UIC.
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The Indians (23-12) broke open a tight 2-1 game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the critical blow a two-out, two-run double from Yolanda Colon.
“I wasn’t trying to hit the ball hard,” Colon said. “I was just trying to make contact.”
Mather (29-5) had made it 2-1 on Jodi Nakanishi’s RBI single to right in the top of the third. But Headley, who improved to 13-10, held the Rangers at bay the rest of the way.
In the second semifinal, Washington (21-14) pounded out 18 hits and blew open a 10-6 game in the bottom of the sixth with five runs on seven hits–including doubles by Joyce Zavala and Kelly Gagen.
Senior pitcher Jackie Oliver allowed 14 hits but struck out seven and walked none in going the distance. She improved to 9-6.
Hubbard ended the season 16-5.