ELVERADO SOFTBALL: Lady Falcons Send Big Statement

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ In a possible Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Sectional preview, defending state champion Cobden held back a stiff challenge from Elverado Wednesday afternoon at Elkville Village Park.

The Lady Appleknockers blanked Elverado, 2-0, in a rescheduled game from earlier this month. Elverado is 11-6 while Cobden's record hiked to 16-4.

"This was a tough loss but we definitely made a statement," Lady Falcons coach Donette Wheatley said.

"We made a huge statement. Kelsi Teague pitched a great game. Unfortunately, Cobden got a few breaks that went their way."

Teague-a lefty and the third pitcher in Wheatley's rotation behind ace Jenna Cochran and Kelsey Tuthill-stymied Cobden on just three hits.

In the fourth, Cobden scored the lone run it would need on the lone Lady Falcons miscue of the game. Jenna Lehr's RBI single in the fifth completed the scoring.

Teague (3-1) struck out two and walked one, allowing just three singles.

Elverado had five hits against Cobden's DaCota Knop.

J. Cochran went 2-for-3 with Chelsea Cochran, Tuthill and Lacie Tow all hitting safely.

"When your pitcher allows only three hits and your defense has just one error, most of the time its going to be a "W," Wheatley said.

EHS is scheduled to visit Z-R-C Thursday.

Cobden 2, Elverado 0

Cobden 000 110 0-2 3 0

EHS 000 000 0-0 5 1

Knop and Quetermous. Teague and Watts. WP-Knop. LP-Teague, 3-1. TOP HITTERS-Cobden: Lehr 1-3 (RBI). Elverado: J. Cochran 2-3, C. Cochran 1-3, Tuthill 1-3, Tow 1-3.