LeBeau Pitches Richards to Top of Heap

1. Richards (15-0): Northwestern recruit Brianna LeBeau pitched the Bulldogs to a 4-2 victory over Lockport. She scattered five hits and struck out five as Richards extended its win streak to 15. Shortstop Hannah Jenkins chipped in with her glove and her bat. She ranged in the hole to come up with one ball and threw across the diamond for a big out. She also added an RBI double. Last week: No. 2.

2. Sandburg (11-4): To pitch to Lexi or not, that is the question. Senior catcher Lexi Bryant is that dangerous. She hit a solo homer and a grand slam in the Eagles’ 11-2 victory over Plainfield Central. Jessica Perkins had three hits, including a double and a triple, and drove in four runs in an 11-2 win over Joliet Central. Last week: No. 4.

3. Stagg (16-1): The Chargers suffered their first loss, then bounced back in a big way with a 17-2 thumping of Thornton. Jessica Arebalo went 2-for-3, including a homer, and drove in four runs. Faith Johnson had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Last week: No. 1.

4. Lincoln-Way East (11-1): The Griffins were grounded by Southwest Suburban Blue rival Homewood-Flossmoor and the Vikings’ Sarah Burke. She tossed a five-hit shutout and struck out eight to hand East its first loss, 4-0. Last week: No. 3.

5. Oak Forest: (14-2): Emily Naegele homered in the Bengals’ 4-0 victory over Thornton Fractional South. Sam Bal and Jourdan Skirha each had two hits. Emily Norton fired a one-hitter and struck out 15. She also doubled and drove in one run. Last week: No. 5.

Next best in alphabetical order: Andrew, Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way North, Marian Catholic, Mother McAuley.

(Covering the following Patch communities: Chicago Heights, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mokena, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos, Tinley Park and the neighboring private schools that draw students from those communities).