Du Quoin softball powers past Red Bud

RED BUD - Kaylee Aleshire hit a grand slam and Morgan Bullar also went deep for the Du Quoin High School softball team as the first round of a trilogy against Red Bud resulted in a 13-2 six-inning win for the Lady Indians.

Du Quoin, which improved to 13-8 with the win, plays Red Bud again this weekend in Marissa's tournament and again in the first round of the postseason.

Katie Smith had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and scored three runs from the leadoff spot.

Bullar, batting second, had an RBI single in the first, a two-run homer in the second and an RBI double in the fourth, leaving her a triple away from the cycle. The homer was Bullar's third of the season.

Aleshire hit her grand slam in the sixth after singles by Chloe Hess and Avery Waller.

Red Bud scored single runs in the first two innings against Du Quoin hurler Chloe Hill, who struck out eight and retired 11 of the last 12 batters she faced.

"Hill threw very well, hit her spots and we played pretty solid behind her," said Du Quoin coach Jason James. "We really had a good day at the plate with every starter having a hit."

The trilogy continues Friday.

"Hopefully we can keep this momentum going this weekend," James said. "We play Red Bud in the first round. We didn't see their No. 1 pitcher today, but hopefully we will Friday."

Du Quoin will play Red Bud once again on May 15 in the semifinals of the Chester 2A Regional, it was learned Wednesday.