The Normal Community softball team blanked Mattoon 5-0 in a game heard on WMCI.
The Ironmen put two runs on the board in the first inning. Alex Perez reached after being hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Reece Johnson singled, and Elexis Swartzentruber drove in both runners with a double to center field.
It remained a 2-0 lead for Normal (20-5) until the third inning when the Ironmen tacked on another run. Perez singled and eventually scored on a Mattoon error.
The story of the game was Ironmen starting pitcher Mack Leonard. The right-hander fired a no-hitter in the complete game win. She walked two and struck out 10. The Lady Wave managed to get only one runner as far as second base. As if she needed to do even more, Leonard, who bats left-handed, launched a two-run homer down the right field line in the fifth inning. That blast provided the final margin of 5-0.
Lesley Swick (10-5) took the loss in the circle for Mattoon (17-7). The lefty went the distance and racked up 14 strikeouts in the game. She walked one, hit two batters, and allowed just five base hits.
This was our final regular season broadcast for Lady Wave softball. We will have coverage from the Charleston Regional on May 24th. Mattoon is the top seed in that tournament.
Listen to the game on-demand here on our website. It’s made possible by the Fellowship Center.
