Fenwick fell 9-3 in the Class 3A state softball semifinal in Peoria on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Some unlikely heroes – and some likely ones too – came through when the Seneca softball team needed it most Thursday in the Fighting Irish’s wild 8-6 Class 2A state semifinal victory over IC Catholic at Peoria’s Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.

Seneca and IC Catholic play a thrilling game in the 2A softball state semifinal Thursday in Peoria. Seneca took the win 8-6 and will advance to the finals on Saturday.

Lemont sophomore Mila Mardjetko, who struck out 15 to lead Lemont past De La Salle to the Class 3A sectional title, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote.

IC Catholic Prep senior pitchers Maddy DiNino and Leilani Mendez have not allowed a run so far in the playoffs. Next up? The Knights' first state tournament appearance and a Class 2A state semifinal on Thursday in Peoria against Seneca.

Sophomore Kyleena Nowinski's walkoff single to center field scored senior Sophia Leonardi in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Friars won a 4-3 marathon over Lemont at the Benedictine University Supersectional.

IC Catholic Prep freshman Sophia Deoudes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eighth, bringing in the game-winning run as the Knights beat Stillman Valley 1-0 in the Class 2A Benedictine Supersectional to clinch the program's first state trip.

Here are Jon Cunningham's photos from the Class 2A Benedictine Supersectional between IC Catholic Prep and Stillman Valley.

Montini sophomore Cameron Fox, who homered twice and also struck out 13 batters in Montini’s regional final win over Elmwood Park, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her Q&A with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Ari Bigda hit a two-run single that continued a six-run first inning and Hayden Sujack tied herself for the fourth-most home runs in IHSA history to lead St. Charles East to an 8-0 victory over Glenbard East.

Here are David Toney's photos from Friday's Class 4A Oswego Regional final softball game between Oswego and Benet.

Morgan Hahn threw a four-hit shutout eight strikeouts, Paige Rook slugged her 12th homer and Jacklyn Meyers had a two-run double as Downers Grove South beat Downers Grove North 10-0 in six innings in Friday's regional final, the Mustangs' first win over the Trojans in five years.

Purdue recruit Jaelynn Anthony struck out seven and also induced 12 ground ball outs, pitching Oswego past Benet 5-0 in the Class 4A Oswego Regional final to the program's third straight regional title.

Lily Carver homered twice as part of a 3 for 3 day that helped lift Glenbard East past Elk Grove in Wednesday's Class 4A Elk Grove Regional semifinal.

Seneca got its 20th shutout of the season with an 11-0 win over Reed-Custer in the Class 2A Seneca Regional semifinals Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Conant softball's comeback for a 5-4 victory eliminated upset-minded Willowbrook on Tuesday in a Class 4A regional semifinal.

Madison Moore – relieved by freshman Erin Johnson in the fifth inning – came back in during the sixth and retired the last six outs of the game, as 12th-seeded Wheaton North held off a huge Oswego East comeback for an 8-7 win to advance to the regional final.

Here are Jon Cunningham's photos from Thursday's softball game between Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South.