SOFTBALL: Hornettes top Du Quoin
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[DuQuoin Softball faced disappointment on Tuesday at Nashville. Nashville defeated DuQuoin 4-1. The loss was disappointing particularly because none of those four runs were earned. DuQuoin pitcher, Cassidy Rice, pitched well enough to win. Five errors by the DuQuoin defense did not support her performance.
DuQuoin scored one run in the first inning on a Nashville throwing error. Nashville scored one run in the second inning on a pass ball to tie the game. Nashville then scored two runs in the fourth inning on two DuQuoin errors. Nashville scored again with one run in the seventh on another DuQuoin error.
Nashville had six hits and one error while DuQuoin had six hits with five errors. Cassidy Rice was 0-2 with 2 walks. Bri Green, courtesy runner, scored DuQuoin's only run. Aubrey Davis was 1-3. Hadley Marek was 1-3. Kelsey Toler was 1-3. Amanda Williams was 1-3. Katrina Whitley was 1-3. Magen Edwards was 1-3.
Cassidy Rice was the losing pitcher. Her record is 12-7. Rice pitched all seven innings allowing 6 hits with four runs (none were earned), two walks, and had 6 strikeouts. The team's record is 15-8 and 1-7 in the conference.
Coach Jason James commented as follows: "We are just not getting the job done in all aspects of the game. The only bright spot we have going right now is that Rice is pitching well enough to win. We are just making way to many errors behind her, and we are not making adjustments at the plate. What is sad is we have the ability to be a very good team, and right now we just do not seem to have that fire we need to get the job done. Maybe it's because school is almost out, and we are ready for summer. I am really not sure, but I do know it's about time to start playing not my 10 best, but my best 10."
DuQuoin is scheduled to play in the Marissa Tournament on Friday and Saturday. But there is the possibility that some games rained out previously may be rescheduled. DuQuoin needs to make up conference games with Anna-Jonesboro for example.