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The 2016 IHSA Class 3A & Class 4A Softball State Finals return to the award-winning Eastside Centre complex in East Peoria on Friday and Saturday, June 10-11.
Fans should note that game times have been adjusted due to the severe temperatures that are expected this weekend. The updated schedule is located on the righthand sidebar or click here for more.
All eights games this weekend will be broadcast live by the NFHS Network on www.IHSA.tv by presenting sponsor Country Financial as IHSA TV veteran Beau Spencer brings viewers all of the action.
A brief synopsis and stat leaders on each of this weekend's finalists is provided below:
CLASS 3A
MONTINI LADY BRONCOS (35-3)
The Broncos have been on the state final cusp for several years and Mike Bukovsky has helped the team reach the finals for the first time in school history in his second stint as head coach. The Broncos enter on a dominant 24-game winning streak in which they have played just three one-run games.
Batting Average: .587, Nicole Cuchran
Runs: 53, Nicole Cuchran
RBI: 56, Alyssa Sclafani
Home Runs: 14, Nicole Cuchran
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Brianna Clifton (R, 20-1, 126 inn., 105K, 1.72 ERA)
Naomi Alonzo (R, 14-2, 92 inn., 68K, 1.75 ERA
CARMEL CORSAIRS (26-11)
Rain made the Corsairs wait a day longer to qualify than the rest of the state final field, but the first state trip in school history was worth the wait. First-year head coach Shane Schueneman’s impact has been immediate, while the offense has been potent after posting double-digit runs in 16 games this season.
Batting Average: .504, Amanda Elert
Runs: 51, Amanda Elert
RBI: 72, Amanda Elert
Home Runs: 16, Amanda Elert
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Claire Petrus (R, 23-4, 168.1, 146K, 3.45 ERA)
SACRED HEART-GRIFFIN CYCLONES (33-5)
The Cyclones have an amicable history with Washington dating back to the 2013 tornado, but make no mistake that Al Yoho’s group wants to avenge a 15-3 loss to the Panthers suffered on May 21. The team has won six straight since then by a 51-16 margin and the stage won’t be too big for a group with nine regulars back from last year’s fourth-place team.
Batting Average: .514, Katie McLean
Runs: 48, Lakyn Wagoner
RBI: 57, Ashton Dyche
Home Runs: 12, Ashton Dyche
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Whitney David (R, 20-3, 127.2 inn., 130K, 2.08 ERA)
Bailey Morrow (R, 10-2, 70.1 inn., 82K, 1.59 ERA)
WASHINGTON LADY PANTHERS (36-1)
A 5-0 decision against Metamora in April ended Washington’s bid for a perfect season, but head coach Stephanie Ramsey’s ultimate goal of back-to-back state titles remains intact. The Panthers have allowed two runs or less in 26 games this season (15 shutouts) and welcome back eight of the starters from last year’s state title game.
Batting Average: .452, Shelby Summer
Runs: 48, Sam Garcia & Madi McCoy
RBI: 40, Shelby Summer
Home Runs: 17, Madi McCoy
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Madi McCoy (R, 29-1, 175.2 inn., 239K, 1.12 ERA)
CLASS 4A
NORMAL WEST WILDCATS (28-9)
Normal West’s senior pitcher got the Wildcats to the Super-Sectional round as a freshman, and now as a senior she pushes the team into the state finals for the first time since 2000 with a 1-0 Super win. April Schermann is just the second head coach in program history and has a squad that expects to be in every game, as eight of the Wildcats nine losses this season have come by three runs or less.
Batting Average: .584, Ellie Sonetz
Runs: 44, Ellie Sonetz
RBI: 36, Ellie Sonetz
Home Runs: 6, Jaxynn Dyson
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Reganne Camp (R, 23-7, 189.1 inn., 252K, 0.74 ERA)
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH MUSTANGS (35-3)
Long-time coach Ron Havelka (703 wins in 24 seasons) brings the Mustangs to state for the fourth time in his career, which includes a state title in 1993, and first time since 2007. Downers Grove South has been dominant this season (9.5 runs per game, 17 shutouts) and a quick glance at the stats below makes it very clear why Caroline Hedgcock is the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois.
Batting Average: .543, Caroline Hedgcock
Runs: 58, Caroline Hedgcock
RBI: 66, Caroline Hedgcock
Home Runs: 22, Caroline Hedgcock
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Payton Buresch (R, 13-2, 90 inn., 139K, 1.01 ERA)
Caroline Hedgcock (L, 13-0, 83.1 inn., 122K, 1.01 ERA)
OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST HUSKIES (35-2)
Oak Park-River Forest put together one of the most impressive runs in state history when they reached the finals in six straight seasons from 2002-2007, including winning the 2005 state championship. Long-time coach Mel Kolbusz may be starting another similar run, as the Huskies return after last year’s third-place finish with eight regulars back from a year ago.
Batting Average: .496, Maeve Nelson
Runs: 48, Maeve Nelson
RBI: 51, Maeve Nelson
Home Runs: 10, Maeve Nelson
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Emily Richardson (R, 20-0, 120 inn., 140K, 1.11 ERA)
Chardonnary Harris (L, 13-2, 94.2 inn., 161K, 0.96 ERA)
DEKALB BARBS (26-6)
What a difference a decade makes. Winners of six total games in head coach Jeff Davis’ first season at the helm back in 2006, the Barbs will now make their first state final appearance in school history this weekend. DeKalb has a senior presence in the pitching circle, but a youth movement surrounding her, as the starting lineup includes three juniors, four sophomores and a freshman.
Batting Average: .491, Morgan Newport
Runs: 32, Morgan Newport
RBI: 36, Morgan Newport
Home Runs: 2 Newport & Erin Karasewski
Pitchers (min. 50 inn.): Morgan Newport (L, 22-6, 187 inn., 237K, 0.90 ERA)
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TOURNAMENT HISTORY
41st annual State Series
9th year of 4-Class Series
16th year at Eastside Centre
SITE
Eastside Centre (East Peoria)
Directions
WEATHER
Updates/delays posted on Twitter at @IHSAWeather
SCHEDULE
Friday, June 10
Class 3A Semifinals
10:00 a.m.
Montini vs. Carmel
immediately after Game 1
Sacred Heart-Griffin vs. Washington
Class 4A Semifinals
5:00 p.m.
Normal West vs. Downers Grove South
immediately after Game 3
Oak Park-River Forest vs. DeKalb
Saturday, June 11
Class 3A Finals
10:00 a.m. - Third-Place
12:30 p.m. - Championship
Class 4A Finals
3:00 p.m. - Third-Place
5:30 p.m. - Championship
TICKETS
$6 per day
WATCH
All games available live on www.IHSA.tv
LISTEN
No broadcasts currently scheduled
RESULTS & BOX SCORES
IHSA Softball Page
SOCIAL MEDIA
#IHSA on Twitter
Twitter - @IHSAstate
Twitter Weather Updates
Instagram - @IHSA_IL
Facebook.com/IHSA.IL
Classic IHSA YouTube Video
OFFICIAL STATE FINAL
Gear from Minerva
Photos from VIP
Balls from Wilson
Souvenir Program
STUDENT SAFETY
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Take the PSPH pledge...
HISTORY & RECORDS
2016 3A State Series
2016 4A State Series
Record Book & Past Champions
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