In a showdown of state-ranked softball teams, the Mattoon Lady Wave topped St. Joseph-Ogden by a score of 3-1 Monday afternoon at the Rounhouse Complex. The Spartans are ranked 7th in Class 2A. The Lady Wave are 13th in Class 3A this week.
Mattoon (12-3) scored a pair of runs in the first inning. Avery Jackson and Ivy Nichols each singled to start the frame. After a fielder’s choice and a double steal, Shelby Youngblood delivered a two-run single to put the Lady Wave on top early, 2-0.
It stayed like that until the fourth when Mattoon tacked on another run. Kelsey Farmer led off with a single to right field. Alyssa Mathias reached on an error, and Avery Risinger successfully sacrificed the runners to second and third. Jackson’s run-scoring double to left made it 3-0 Mattoon.
The Lady Wave received an outstanding pitching performance to hold the powerful St. Joseph-Ogden (12-4) lineup in check. Lesley Swick pitched the first 5 1/3 innings. She allowed one run on two hits while striking out four to earn the win, moving to 8-2. Cassi Dow entered the circle for the final 1 2/3. Dow allowed no runs, one hit, no walks, and struck out two to collect her first save. The combined three-hitter propelled Mattoon to a solid win.
Swick collected her 8th win of the season.
Dow closed out SJ-O in Mattoon’s win on Monday.
Mattoon had 3 runs, 7 hits, 1 error, and 6 runners left on base.
St. Joseph-Ogden had 1 run, 3 hits, 2 errors, and 4 runners left on base.
Our next broadcast of Mattoon High School sports is scheduled for Wednesday when the Green Wave baseball team hosts Teutopolis at 4:30pm on WMCI.
