Lady Panthers cruise in conference opener

PINCKNEYVILLE - The Pinckneyville High School softball team opened SIRR Mississippi Division play with an 18-3 rout of Sparta on Wednesday.

Mariah Clark and Hannah Dascotte both homered for the Lady Panthers, who collected 18 total hits.

Dascotte, who also doubled, popped a three-run blast in the first inning as part of a 10-run rally that included Clark's two-run homer.

Taylor Witges also had a big game with three hits and four RBIs, while Kiya Hagene, Daisey Dudek, Josie Gleason and Lauren Jackson all had two hits. Emma Banach collected two RBIs as well.

Dudek started in the circle and gave up two runs in three innings. Hallie Waggoner pitched the fourth.

Pinckneyville is now 5-2 overall with a 1-0 mark in the conference.

The Lady Panthers were slated to host Anna-Jonesboro on Thursday and travel to West Frankfort on Saturday.