The Mattoon High School softball team captured the first game of its Apollo Conference doubleheader with Salem. The Lady Wave scored in each of the first three innings en route to a 9-1 victory.
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the top of the first. A two-out walk to Kelly Sager set the stage for Hannah Minton’s RBI-double to center. Salem’s lead evaporated quickly, however.
Ivy Nichols started the Mattoon first with a bunt single. Avery Jackson also put down a well-placed bunt. In the attempt to get Jackson at first, the throw went down the right field line. Nichols scored and Jackson went all the way to third. Kyliegh Basham then doubled to plate Jackson, and Shelby Youngblood singled in another run. Mattoon had a 3-1 lead after one.
Avery Jackson was on base three times, scored three runs, and stole two bases.
The Lady Wave kept attacking in the second inning as well. A lead-off walk to Mariah Spurgeon started things. Kelsey Farmer’s sacrifice moved Spurgeon all the way to third as the Mattoon senior challenged the moving infield and beat the throw. Nichols hit a sacrifice fly to left field, making it 4-1 Mattoon. Jackson reached on an error and scored on Basham’s triple. The lead stood at 5-1 after two innings.
Kyliegh Basham had a single, double, triple, and 3 RBI’s.
Another uprising in the third inning began with Brianna Poehler’s single. Bella Coffey followed with a double. Alyssa Mathias reached on error, which allowed Poehler to score. Kelsey Farmer then laced a two-run double into the right-center field alley. Farmer added another two-bagger in the fifth inning to complete her big day at the plate.
Kelsey Farmer had two doubles, knocked in a pair of runs, and caught the complete game victory.
Lesley Swick went the distance in the circle for Mattoon. Swick allowed one run on four hits. She walked four and fanned 11.
With the win, Mattoon is now 10-3 on the season, 4-1 in the Apollo Conference.
You can hear the Lady Wave again on Monday, April 25th when they host St. Joseph-Ogden on 101.3 WMCI.
