Woodlands Academy Softball Claims 2nd Straight Regional Title

For the second consecutive year, the Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart girls' softball team earned the Division 2 Regional championship by beating Latin, 8-4, on May 21.

First, the Wildcats had to bypass host team St. Scholastica in a rematch of last year’s Regional final game. The Wildcats routed the Stingers, 14-1, in five innings, as sophomore pitcher Hayley Lovell allowed only one hit and struck out 11. Sophomore Allie Vela hit a pair of doubles, and Lovell tallied a triple.

In the Regional finals, freshman Abby Kendall led the offense with three hits, including two triples, and 2 RBI’s. Sophomore Kiara McKinley doubled, and junior Maggie Hamleton of Lake Bluff added two RBI’s. Lovell added 2 RBI’s, and was also the winning pitcher, with eight strike-outs and allowing five hits.

The state tourney road ended Wednesday, however, with a 7-2 loss to Lisle High School in the Lisle Sectional.

Lovell pitched seven innings, striking out two, walking six and allowing six hits. Kept scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, Hambleton walked with one out, was brought home with a single by Lovell, who then scored on McKinley's hit.

Woodlands snagged a share of the Independent School League championship by posting a  7-1 league record.