Beecher, Providence and De La Salle all move up behind Marist, while Richards enters the rankings.
Top 10
With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Marist 27-1 (1): Western Michigan commit Alia Rowles hits her first two home runs of the season in back-to-back wins over Joliet Catholic.
2. Lincoln-Way East 22-6 (2): Zoey Bullock wears the hero-of-the-day jacket in wild 10-6 victory over Lincoln-Way West with clutch two-run hit.
3. Lincoln-Way West 22-6 (3): Warriors get a boost when North Carolina State recruit Reese Rourke makes her return and impresses both at the plate and at shortstop.
4. Beecher 25-0 (5): Makenzie Johnson continues to put staggering numbers on the board, batting .606 with 41 runs, six doubles, six triples, two homers and 27 RBIs.
5. Providence 24-5 (7): The Celtics roll through another week of victories as Bella Cortes highlights the offense, going 7-for-14 with seven runs, three doubles and six RBIs.
6. Lockport 19-10-1 (4): Wayne State recruit Olivia Picciola is finishing up comeback season for the Porters in fine fashion with eight doubles and 18 RBIs.
7. St. Laurence 19-5 (6): The Vikings earn tie for the GCAC Red title with Providence as Vanessa Kates breaks her own single-season record for home runs.
8. Lemont 22-8 (8): Claire Podrebarac puts together a wonderful week, pitching pair of shutouts and powering up for two homers and nine RBIs.
9. De La Salle 21-8 (10): Mya Alvarez catches 27 of 29 games for the Meteors and contributes offensively with .449 batting average.
10. Richards 17-10 (NR): Abbey Lichter comes through with huge hit in 5-4 marathon win over conference rival Reavis, smacking a home run in the top of the 11th inning for Bulldogs.
Player of the Week
Junior shortstop/outfielder Jessi Pontrelli delivers a red-hot week at the plate, going 11-for-13 with nine runs as Lemont continues to run the table in the South Suburban Blue.
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
