The 2012 MCHS Patriot softball team proudly holds the championship plaque after their regional tournament win over Carterville. The championship is the school’s first since 2002. — Planet photo by Beth Shelton
Kaylee Childers is all business in the circle for the Lady Patriots. — Planet photo by Beth Shelton
Jessi Stunson dives for the ball during the game. — Planet photo by Beth Shelton
The Lady Patriots ground out a 3-1 win over Carterville Saturday in Jonesboro to bring home the hardware and move on to the Pinckneyville sectional where they will face DuQuoin at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23.
The other sectional matchup will feature Nashville and Carmi-White County.
Under a blistering sun, the Lady Lions struck first in the top of the third inning when Kylee Rock, a talented freshman, drilled pitcher Kaylee Childers’ first offering for a home run.
But as has been the case most of the year, that “slap in the face” put a little extra grit in Childers’ craw and the tough little lefthander didn’t allow another run.
For the record, the fifth inning was Childers’ only other rough patch as she navigated around her own two base throwing error and two bases on balls, one intentional, to escape unscathed.
A nifty play by catcher Madison Stephens and Courtney Copley got Childers’ her first out then she rang up a big bases loaded strikeout for the second, and Jordyn Smith bagged a popup at second for the final out of Carterville’s last and best threat.
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