SIJHSAA Softball Regional Final: Herrin Outlasts Lady Warriors in 10

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ In heart-wrenching fashion, the softball season ended for Du Quoin (Middle School) Monday afternoon.

The Lady Warriors fell 4-3 in a 10-inning contest against top-seeded Herrin (Junior High School) to decide the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association (SIJHSAA) Class L Region III championship.

Played at Johnston City High School, the contest lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours and didn't end until Herrin turned an intentional walk into a game-winning RBI single.

The Lady Warriors finished another solid season with an 18-6 record, falling to Herrin in the regional finals for the second straight year.

"You hate to lose but I am very proud of this group of girls and what they accomplished this year," DMS coach Jason James said. "Very proud. They are a very good group of young ladies that work very hard. I am very excited about these eighth graders coming into high school."

Against Herrin, Du Quoin fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but rallied to score three unearned times in the fifth.

A two-run error from Herrin and Hailey Stewart's bases loaded walk put the Lady Warriors in front before Herrin rallied to tie the game an inning later.

In the 10th, the Lady Tigers put a runner at third base with no outs and forced DMS to intentionally walk the next two hitters.

On the the third pitch to the second batter, the hitter reached out and poked a basehit that sent home the deciding tally.

"I will take full responsibility for that," James said of the unusual play. "It just so happened the pitch was too close to the plate and the girl hit a game winning single."

DMS pitcher Marisa Ferguson (10-4) went the distance, striking out six while scattering seven hits.

At the plate, Du Quoin had just three infield singles. Two of the hits were by Chelsea Huff. Annie Bastien added the other safety.

"We really just couldn't get anything going at the plate," said James. "We had plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position but just couldn't get that big hit."

The Lady Warriors finished 2009 with an 18-6 record while Herrin advances to state tourney play Saturday at Pinckneyville.

Herrin will now play the Region VIII champ-Carlyle, Flora, Salem or Centralia-Saturday at 3;30 p.m. on Greg Hale Field.

Highland and Belleville's Wolf Branch also advanced to state by winning regional titles Monday.

Herrin's record improved to 17-4 with the victory, its 14th straight.