East Peoria, Ill.---The ICC softball team had to settle for a split with Danville losing 7-5 in game 1 but claiming the second, 4-1 on Tuesday night at Thome Field. The Cougars held a 5-2 lead and were in control until the top of the 7th when DACC mounted a five-run rally to steal the win.
Game 2 saw freshman
Kiersten Manning pitch another gem while
Olivia Drish led the offense with her fourth home run in as many games to help the Cougars get the win.
Game 1 Recap:
Sydnee Usherwood had the hot bat for the Cougars, smashing a double from the lead-off spot and scoring on a groundout by Drish for the first run. Usherwood then singled in the third and scored on a sacrifice by
Olivia Stirnaman, followed by a solo shot from Drish as ICC went up 3-1.
DACC hit a home run in the fifth to pull to within 3-2 but Usherwood smacked a double to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning and scored on a Stirnaman single, putting ICC up 4-2. ICC got another run in the 6th as
Alyssa Heerman doubled, was moved over by an
Alicia Casas sacrifice bunt. and scored on an
Amelia Johnson fly out to give the Cougars a 5-2 lead before the DACC comeback in the seventh.
Leaders:
Sydnee Usherwood 3-4, two doubles, single
Olivia Stirnaman 1-3, two RBI, single
Olivia Drish 1-4, two RBI
Amelia Johnson 1 RBI
Hanna Evans went seven innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and striking out three.
Game 2 Recap:
The Cougars struck first in the nightcap as Usherwood reached on an error to lead things off. She scored on a
Priscilla Peek double, and then Peek scored on another Jaguar error to put ICC up 2-0.
Stirnaman drew a walk in the third and then Drish sent another ball out of the park, this one over the center field fence to give ICC a 4-0 lead. Danville scored one run in the 6th but Manning and the Cougar defense kept the Jaguar bats at bay to get the victory.
Manning was credited with the victory going the full seven innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out nine and walking zero. Box scores of both games appear below.
Leaders:
Priscilla Peek 1-3, double, RBI
Olivia Drish 1-3, homer, RBI
Next up: The Cougars (16-10 overall, 5-5 in Region 24) were scheduled to be at Lewis & Clark on Wednesday, April 13 but that game has been postponed and rescheduled for April 28. Their next game will now be Thursday, April 14 as they host Lincoln Land in a 3pm double-header at Thome Field.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
