Sacred Heart
BELLEVILLE - The Sacred Heart High School softball team defeated Bennington High School, 7-1 on Monday at the 2A-1A regionals in Belleville.
In what was a pitchers duel for most of the game, Sacred Heart finally put four runs on the board in the fifth inning to extend its earlier slim lead. On the mound, Sacred Heart was lead by Emilee Blythe, who struck out 12 while walking only one. Bennington countered with Maleah Ingram, who recorded 11 strikeouts of her own.
Blythe also led Sacred Heart with three hits, while Bennington had five players with single hits, including Taryn Paulino who scored Bennington's lone run in the third inning.
"We expected a close game as we knew that Ingram had over 100 strikeouts already this season and several good hitters who put the ball in play," said Sacred Heart Coach Bob Martin.
"I also had no doubt that Coach April (Saskowski) would have her girls ready mentally to compete and make plays when they needed to, which they did, including a rally killer when we had the bases loaded early," Martin added. "Fortunately, we were able to manufacture some runs late and stop their seventh-inning rally."
Sacred Heart continues play on Tuesday afternoon against the second seed, Canton-Galva\McPherson-Elyria Christian. Bennington finishes their season 5-16.