SOFTBALL: Rice shuts down Carmi for 2-0 DHS win
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[It was a long trip to Carmi and back on Thursday, but DuQuoin Softball was happy on the return. DuQuoin defeated Carmi-White County 2-0. DuQuoin's overall record is 18-9 and 1-8 in the conference. DuQuoin has one conference game left with Anna-Jonesboro on Friday.
DuQuoin scored two runs in the sixth inning. Jessica Hirsch bunted and beat it out. Kelsey Robinson belted a triple to score Hirsch and got the RBI. One batter later, Cassidy Rice singled to score Robinson and get herself an RBI.
Rice pitched all seven innings to get the win. She allowed 3 hits, no runs, had two walks, and 11 strikeouts. Her record is 15-8.
DuQuoin had six hits in the contest. Kelsey Toler was 1-3. Jessica Hirsch was 2-4. Kelsey Robinson was 1-4 with a triple and an RBI. Hadley Marek was 1-3. Cassidy Rice was 1-3 with an RBI.
Coach Jason James was happy about the outcome and Rice's performance. "Again, Rice threw well. She has been keeping us in the ball games. We came up with a couple of timely hits today. We have to continue to do a better job of focusing at the plate. If we do that, we will be okay in the regional."
DuQuoin travels to Anna-Jonesboro on Friday for the final conference game of the season. Saturday's game is at Harrisburg with Harrisburg at 11:00 and then a game with Cobden follows. Monday's game is at Highland. DuQuoin starts regional play at Waltonville on Wednesday against Pinckneyville (4:30).