SOFTBALL: Indians 7-0 after beating Benton
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[DuQuoin High School Softball is riding high today because they are off to one of the best starts in school history with a perfect 7-0 record. DuQuoin took advantage of Benton on Monday evening in a home game defeating Benton 9-5 in a regulation seven innings.
Benton scored two runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth inning. In the fifth inning, the score was tied at five before DuQuoin broke loose scoring four runs in the sixth inning. The winning pitcher was Cassidy Rice, who went all seven innings. She allowed five runs, all earned, on seven hits, had nine strikeouts and 7 walks. Rice's record is 4-0 on the season. Benton's Holloway was the losing pitcher. She allowed 9 runs, 7 earned, 11 hits, had 2 strikeouts and 4 walks. She also had 4 wild pitches.
Defense for both teams was very good. DuQuoin had one error, while Benton committed two errors. Hitting was the name of the game in this contest. Benton had 7 hits in a losing effort. DuQuoin had 11 hits in total. Two were home runs that were "monster hits" by Magen Edwards and Katrina Whitley.
Kelsey Toler was 0-1 with two walks and a hit by pitch. Jessica Hirsch was 2-3 including a sacrifice and a stolen base. Kelsey Robinson was 2-4 including a triple and 2 RBI. Hadley Marek was 1-4, a double with an RBI. Cassidy Rice was 1-3 with a double and a walk. Magen Edwards was 2-3 with a home run, two RBI, and a sacrifice fly. Katrina Whitley was 1-4 with a home run and an RBI. Ashley Ward was 1-2, a double, and a walk. Jessy Wallace was 1-3. Curry Emling was the flex on defense.
Coach Jason James commented, "I am very proud of the girls and the way we hit the ball. Edwards hit her first home run of the year, and Katrina Whitley hit a big home run to tie the game (her first of her career). Robinson hit a big two run triple in the bottom of the sixth to give us the lead and Rice shut them down in the seventh. The play of the game was the diving two out catch by Kelsey Toler with runners on second and third with Benton up 1, that kept us in the game."
The Junior Varsity played three innings after the Varsity game and won 5-0. DuQuoin plays at home on Thursday with Agape. On Saturday, they are scheduled to play in a tournament at Mulberry Grove.