SOFTBALL: A-J spoils Senior Day for Du Quoin
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[It was the last home game of the season for DuQuoin Softball. The Senior players were honored prior to the start of the game, and the team wanted to win the game. But Anna-Jonesboro did not cooperate. DuQuoin was defeated 5-2.
Prior to the start of the game, three Seniors were honored. Curry Emling, the daughter of Abby and Adam Emling, Kelsey Toler, the daughter of Kathy Toler and the late Kevin Toler, and Ashley Ward, daughter of Judy and Mike Ward all were playing in their final home game of the season.
DuQuoin scored two runs in the first inning to take the lead. A-J came back to score two runs in the second inning. A-J scored one in the third, one in the fourth inning, and one in the fifth inning to make the final score 5-2.
Cassidy Rice was the losing pitcher. Her record is 14-7. She pitched all seven innings allowing 5 runs (3 unearned), nine hits, had 8 strikeouts and 3 walks. Amanda Conaway started for A-J pitching 3 innings. She allowed the two runs, on 5 hits, and had three strikeouts. Lindsey Patterson relieved in the fourth going 4 innings allowing no runs, one hit, and had 9 strikeouts.
DuQuoin committed four errors in the game, which really hurt them. Anna-Jonesboro had one error in the contest. DuQuoin's record is 17-8 overall and 1-8 in the conference.
DuQuoin had six hits. Kelsey Toler was 2-4. Kelsey Robinson was 1-3 with an RBI. Cassidy Rice was 1-3 with an RBI. Curry Emling was 1-3. Jessy Wallace was 1-3. It is also noteworthy that Wallace (catcher) threw out two runners trying to steal second during the game. Others seeing playing time were Jessica Hirsch, Hadley Marek, Magen Edwards, Ashley Ward, and Kate Toler.
Coach Jason James was obviously disappointed . "I thought Rice threw well again. We made too many mistakes behind her. We never did get the big hit that we needed. We struggled to get the job done."
DuQuoin plays at Carmi-White County on Thursday and travels to Anna-Jonesboro on Friday. Saturday brings a trip to Harrisburg. DuQuoin plays Harrisburg at 11:00 and then Cobden after that. Another game has been added next week for Monday at Highland. The Regional is scheduled to start on Wednesday with a game against Pinckneyville at Waltonville.