A late-inning rally enabled the Mattoon softball team to edge Shelbyville by a score of 9-7 Friday evening. With the game time temperature at 43 degrees with windy conditions, fans and players alike did their best to stay active at the Roundhouse Complex.
Shelbyville built a 7-1 lead through the top of the 4th inning. The big blast was Kary Langan’s three-run homer to center field. That blast capped a 4-run inning that put the Lady Rams in control of the game. Mattoon battled back, however. The Lady Wave scored twice in the bottom of the 4th. Brianna Poehler led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch. She later scored on a throwing error, and Kelsey Farmer’s run-scoring single plated McKenzee Davee.
Lesley Swick came on in relief for the Lady Wave in the pitching circle. She was the third hurler used by head coach Amy Hines. Swick held Shelbyville in check by tossing the final three innings, allowing no hits or runs. She struck out four. The only base runner reached via an error against the senior left-hander.
Swick picked up the win in relief.
Mattoon scored a pair of runs in the 5th inning to inch closer. Ivy Nichols led off with a triple to center. She scored on Kyliegh Basham’s single. After advancing to third on a wild pitch and a ground out, Basham scored on another wild pitch. The Lady Wave were within 7-5 heading to the 6th inning. Swick worked a quick 1-2-3 frame with a pair of ground outs and a pop up. That set the stage for Mattoon to complete the comeback.
McKenzee Davee led off with a single. Kelsey Farmer hit into a fielder’s choice. Mariah Spurgeon came on as a courtesy runner for the Mattoon catcher, and was sacrificed to second by Avery Risinger. Avery Jackson’s double scored Spurgeon to make it 7-6. Ivy Nichols was hit by a pitch, and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Kyliegh Basham plated the go-ahead runs with a base hit to center field to make it 8-7 Lady Wave. Basham later scored an insurance run on another wild pitch.
Kyliegh Basham drove in 3 runs for the Lady Wave.
In the top of the 7th, Lesley Swick put the Lady Rams down in order with the help of a nice, sliding grab by left fielder Avery Risinger to end the game.
Shelbyville had 7 runs on 9 hits with 5 runners left on base.
Mattoon had 9 runs on 8 hits with 4 runners stranded.
The game was broadcast on 101.3 WMCI and is available for on demand listening here on our website.
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