SOFTBALL: Du Quoin grabs first conference win
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[There are several things we will remember about Tuesday evening, April 19--a big storm, the power going off, and DuQuoin High School softball defeating Pinckneyville 2-1. It was DuQuoin's first conference win of the season (1-4).
Pinckneyville scored first--one run in the first inning. Maddy Keith led off and was hit by a pitch. Keith stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Emily Chapman smacked a double off the wall to score Keith. Pinckneyville had an opportunity to score in the third inning when Keith led off with a triple, but she was stranded at third when the the three batters behind her struck out, grounded out, and struck out. Pinckneyville also had an opportunity to score in the seventh with two runners on and did not capitalize on that opportunity.
DuQuoin had opportunities to score in the second, third, and fourth innings, but could not take advantage and left runners on. Finally in the fifth inning, DuQuoin scored two runs. Curry Emling led off with a walk. Jessy Wallace put down a pretty sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second. Jessica Hirsch was walked. Aubrey Davis hit a little ground ball that was fielded by the Pinckneyville first baseman, who got the out (3 to 4) at first. However, the second baseman threw to third in an attempt to get a runner, and the throw went high (E-4) allowing a run to score. The runner on third then scored on a wild pitch making the score 2-1 in DuQuoin's favor.
Defensively, each team had one error. The defensive play of the game for the Indians came in the first inning when Aubrey Davis (second base) made a diving catch of a line drive. DuQuoin's Jessy Wallace had three sacrifice bunts to advance runners during the game. Kelsey Toler also had a sacrifice bunt in the game.
Emily Chapman (6-3) was the losing pitcher. She allowed 2 runs (unearned) on 3 hits, had 9 strikeouts, and 6 walks. She also had 3 wild pitches--one was very costly. The winning pitcher was Cassidy Rice. Rice allowed one earned run, on 4 hits, had 10 strikeouts, and no walks. Her record is 11-4.
Pinckneyville had four hits. Maddy Keith was 1-2 with a triple. Emily Chapman was 1-3 with a double and an RBI. Shersty Stanton was 1-3, and Taylor Kuhnert was 1-3. Others seeing playing time were Dani Jenkel, Taylor Cicardi, Melia Bathon, Taylor Cheek, Dani Schoenbacher, and Sara Malanowski.
Pinckneyville Coach Mike Cheek was obviously disappointed. "We got out executed today. We had opportunities to score, and we didn't take advantage, and they did. In our conference, that is not going to win ball games."
DuQuoin had three hits. Hadley Marek was 1-3. Kelsey Toler was 2-2 with a double. Jessica Hirsch had two walks and Curry Emling had three walks. Both runs that scored for DuQuoin were on by walks. DuQuoin's record is 14-5. Also seeing playing time for DuQuoin were Kelsey Robinson, Bri Green, Kate Toler, Jessy Wallace, and Katrina Whitley.
Coach Jason James was quite excited about the win. "I am so proud of the girls. We came out and battled. Rice threw a great game. After the first run scored, she seemed to settle in. We still have to take better approaches at the plate. We took advantage of their costly mistakes. We got the "W". That is what matters."
The DuQuoin Jr. Varsity also won against Pinckneyville. The score was 4-2. The JV record is now 2-2.
Hitting for DuQuoin were Bri Green 1-4 with a double and an RBI. Amanda Williams was 1-3. Della Lee was 1-1 with a pinch hit double. Abby Myers was 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI. Emily Asbury was 1-1.
Other seeing playing time were Aubrey Davis, Chelsea Huff, Hailey Stewart, Katrina Whitley, Kate Toler, Cassidy Hill, and Bailie Caldwell.
Pinckneyville had six hits. Kala Emling was 2-3. Bailey Nippe was 1-2. Haley Szczepanski was 2-3, and Taylor Howard 1-2. Others seeing playing time were Jordyn Wieland, Kristen Ginn, Jordan Franklin, Sarah Carlson, Kalie Bathon, Gabrielle Doerflein, Alyssa Hirsch, and Kayla Martin.
The winning pitcher for DuQuoin was Aubrey Davis. She allowed two runs (1 earned) on six hits, had 2 walks, and one strikeout. Her record is 1-1. Coach Jacob Emling said that Davis did an excellent job.
The losing pitcher for Pinckneyville was Kayla Martin. She allowed four runs (3 earned) on six hits, and had 8 strikeouts. The DuQuoin JV record is 2-2.
DuQuoin was scheduled to play at home with Steeleville on Wednesday, but that was canceled because of all the weather problems. The first base dugout at Field 2 (where the Indians play) was demolished during the storm. DuQuoin is scheduled to play Nashville on Thursday at home. That game may be moved to Nashville because of the damage at the home field.
Pinckneyville (15-6, 2-3) was scheduled to travel to Murphysboro on Wednesday, but rain forced a cancellation. The Panthers are at Sparta on Thursday (4:30 p.m.).
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