The Chaparrals left no doubt about advancing in the NJCAA Region 4, Division 3 softball tournament.
 
Nicole Brace connected on a grand slam and a solo homer, and teammates Ashley Eiermann and Amber Dasenbrock also went deep as the Chaps routed host Joliet 14-4 in six innings Saturday to advance to the regional finals.
 
The Chaps (18-15 overall) play at top-seed and six-time defending national champion Rock Valley on Tuesday. They'll play a best-of-three tourney begining at 1 p.m. against the Golden Eagles with the champion advancing to the national championship later this month in Syracuse, N.Y.
 
Eiermann gave the Chaps the lead for good on a three-run homer in the second. She followed up Gianna Maida's two-run single in the third with a two-run double of her own and the Chaps led 7-1.
 
Dasenbrock connected on her homer in the fifth, setting up Brace's solo shot in the same inning.
 
Then with COD leading 10-3, Brace delivered her slam to left for a 14-3 lead.
 
Eiermann and Brace each had five RBI. Eiermann and Dasenbrock also doubled.
 
Kelsey Warren, Vincenza Zaccaro and Carlee Baker all had two hits apiece.
 
Dasenbrock dazzled on the mound, striking out seven without issuing a walk in her six innings.