Naperville Central coach Bill Seiple was out in Lockport scouting the Neuqua Valley-Providence Catholic sectional semifinal and had an interesting observation as to why Wednesday night's game was so low-scoring, and a theory about why his Redhawks broke through in the middle innings Thursday night.

"This is a very tough place to play, and when you play at 6 p.m., you got that shadow," Seiple said after a 6-2 victory over Lockport. "Neuqua and Providence (both) struggled all night long. And I don't know how (well) they saw the ball out of the pitchers' hands.

"It's not something you want to talk about, because then it gets crazy, people start thinking about it. ... I was concerned about it (but) we adjusted."

Seiple was looking forward to Saturday's first pitch at 10 a.m.

LOCKPORT - To keep advancing in the Class 4A state tournament, Naperville Central was going to have to win a game like this.

After scoring 33 runs during its two regional victories, the Redhawks advanced to the sectional final with an efficient 6-2 victory over host Lockport.

Pat Kaminska threw a complete game to lead No. 7 Central (23-14) into Saturday morning's championship game against No. 16 Providence Catholic (21-15). The senior right-hander allowed just six hits while striking out nine.

A 2-2 game turned in the sixth inning. Marc Mantucca and Bobby Czarnowski hit back-to-back singles to right. Kaminska then smashed a ball deep into the hole that Lockport shortstop Rick Guth knocked down but could not immediately locate in the outfield grass.

Pinch-runner Ryan Burton sprinted from second to score the go-ahead run. Anthony Lopez next bounced an RBI single into right that made it 4-2.

CLASS 4A LOCKPORT SECTIONAL
Tuesday
No. 4 Plainfield North (27-6) vs. No. 5 Neuqua Valley (24-11) at Hinsdale South, 4:30 p.m.

At Lockport
Wednesday
Plainfield North-Neuqua Valley winner vs. No. 16 Providence Catholic (20-15), 6 p.m.

Thursday
No. 3 Lockport (26-11) vs. No. 7 Naperville Central (22-14), 6 p.m.

Saturday
Sectional championship, 10 a.m.