SOFTBALL: Lady Indians' bats explode in wins over Marissa, Vienna
After managing just five hits in their season opener against Benton on March 16, the Lady Indians' bats came to life five days later in Saturday home wins over Marissa and Vienna. Du Quoin scored a combined total of 26 runs on 22 hits in a 15-1 win over the Lady Meteors and an 11-2 victory over the Lady Eagles.
"I was really pleased with our demeanor and intensity," said DHS head coach Jason James. "We had a lot better focus at the plate today and looked for our pitch to drive."
Four walks helped turn the bottom of the first into a four-run inning for the Lady Indians. Jordyn Bullar (double), Afton Robinson (single) and Sydney Lewis (two-run single) each had RBI hits and ten batters came to the dish.
Du Quoin got another four-spot in the bottom of the second, this time getting RBIs from Robinson (single), Amanda Atteberry (single) and Lewis (grounder to second base), making it 8-0.
Bullar drove in Alaina Caldwell (triple) in the third before Marissa finally got on the board in the top of the fourth. Du Quoin put it away with a half dozen runs in the bottom of the inning.
Caldwell (3-4, 4 R, 3B, BB), Bullar (2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B), Robinson (4-4, 3 R, 3 RBI), Atteberry (1-1, R, 2 BB), Lewis (2-3, R, 3 RBI) and Grace Haney (1-4, 3 RBI, 2B) had hits for DHS against the Lady Meteors.
Mackenzie Jackson pitched all five innings to pick up the win. Jackson allowed five hits, struck out six and walked none.
The bats were still red hot later in the afternoon against Vienna.
Vienna got on the board with a pair of hits against Bullar in the top of the first, but Du Quoin answered in a hurry. Jackson (single), Caldwell (RBI double) and Bullar (RBI single) started the bottom of the inning with hits, and Robinson reached on an error, but picked up an RBI to make it 3-1.
The score remained that way until the bottom of the third inning when Vienna errors and walks handed the Lady Indians three runs, and more of the same landed Du Quoin another run in the fourth to make it 7-1.
Atteberry and Bullar would later add RBIs to keep the Lady Eagles at a distance.
Bullar (2-4, 3 RBI, BB), Jackson (1-3, 2 R, BB), Caldwell (1-4, R, RBI, 2B, BB), Robinson (1-4, RBI), Atteberry (1-3, RBI, BB), Tarynn Mays (1-1, 2 R), Timbra Mansfield (1-2, R) and Amber Williams (1-3, R, BB) had hits for Du Quoin.
Bullar tossed the first four innings in the circle to get the win, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Ferguson fanned five while throwing the final three innings. She allowed four hits and issued one free pass, but didn't allow an earned run.
"All three pitchers threw very well," James said. "We did a good job of hitting spots and the defense did a great job of backing up our pitchers. We have a long way to go but we will keep working to be the best we can be."
The Lady Indians (2-1) have a busy week ahead with two games at a tournament in Mt. Vernon on Monday, a home game vs. Goreville on Tuesday, a trip to West Frankfort on Wednesday, and home contests on Saturday against Salem and New Athens (11:00 a.m. start).