'Second' Pitcher Helps to Ensure Richards is the 'One'

1. Richards (22-0): When you’re No. 2 pitcher is 5-0, you know things are going well. Kailie Tobin pushed her record to 5-0 in the Bulldogs’ 10-4 victory over Eisenhower. Breanna Kaminski drove in two runs. Last week: No. 1.

2. Sandburg (17-5): Two no-hitters on day? Almost. Lora Olson started the Eagles on their sweep to a doubleheader sweep of Bolingbrook (7-0 and 5-0) with a no-hitter in Game 1. She allowed only one runner to reach, than on an error, and struck out 15. Then, in Game 2, Amanda Barnes saw her bid for a no-hitter spoiled with two outs in the seventh. Last week: No. 4.

3. Stagg (22-2): Faith Johnson went 1-for-3, including a homer, and drove in three runs in the Chargers’ 6-5 victory over Lyons. Joey Crockettt was 1-for-3 and had 2 RBIs. Lea LaSota boasts a 19-2 record on the mound. Last week: No. 2.

4. Oak Forest (18-3): Colleen Sherwood tossed a two-hitter and struck out 13 in a 10-0 victory over Bremen. Emily Naegele went 3-for-3 and scored three runs. Naegele was featured as the Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV  “Athlete of the Month” on Sunday. Last week: No. 3.

5. Lincoln-Way East (16-4): The story of Mighty Casey took a different plot twist in the Griffins’ split with Queen of Peace. Casey Kodatt went 2-for-3, including a homer, and had two RBIs in Game 1 for Queen of Peace. East bounced back to gain a split with a 7-5 victory in Game 2. But Casey Kodatt didn’t strike out. She had two hits and two RBIs. 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).