Minooka Thunders Way to 4A Softball Title

In the end, the team that made its living on the edge finished with a big, big edge.

Rachel May, Jordyn Larsen and Sara Novak slugged home runs and Minooka powered to a 14-3 six-inning softball victory over St. Charles East in the Class 4A state championship game on Saturday night at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.

For Minooka (23-8), the title came at the end of a run that saw the Indians rally from near the point of extinction on several occasions in a last-girl-standing takes home the big prize like show of strength and determination.

The Indians made their first trip to the IHSA state softball tournament a memorable one by pounding St. Charles East for 19 hits, five for extra bases, and 14 runs, all earned. May’s three-run homer in the sixth capped the barrage as Minooka won its first state softball championship.

She finished with three hits in five at-bats and had three RBIs. Novak had four hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs. Larsen added three hits, including a two-run homer, and drove in two runs.

Mikayla Melone, Jackie Lilek and Kelsey Smith each chipped in two hits for Minooka, which battled back to defeat Lockport 15-14 in the sectional semifinals and on Friday needed a three-run homer in the sixth by Larsen to overtake Elmhurst York 6-3.

St. Charles East (33-6) scored three runs on three hits—but it was nowhere near enough to keep pace with the Indians. Lilek was nicked for all three runs in her two innings of work in the pitching circle.

Novak (8-4) gained the victory with four scoreless innings in relief behind her. She struck out four and did not allow a single hit.