East Peoria, Ill. -  Kiersten Manning performed double-duty for the Illinois Central College softball team on Saturday to propel ICC to a Game 1 win over Danville on Sophomore Day at Thome Field.  Manning belted a two-run homer and tallied 12 strikeouts in the circle for a 4-3 win over the Jaguars as the Cougars played steady defense behind her.  In Game 2, Danville found their hitting and took the game by a score of 10-1.  The Cougars' record is now 17-13 overall and 10-6 in Region play while Danville, who received votes in this week's NJCAA DII poll, is 26-15 and 9-3 in Region 24.  

"Our defense was locked in during the first game and we got just enough run support to get the win," said head coach Heather Doty.  "Kiersten was solid again and our defense made some big plays."  

Game 1:  ICC 4, Danville 3
DACC opened the game with a a two-run homer in the top of the first.  After an Olivia Stirnaman walk, Manning got those runs right back with a two-run blast of her own to catch the Cougars back up at 2-2.  A fantastic diving catch by center fielder Marley Williamson ended the second inning to keep the score tied.

Both pitchers kept the respective hitters off balance through the middle innings until ICC scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth.  Shylar Boze led off the inning with a single followed by a bloop single by Williamson that dropped just inside the right field foul line.  Kelsey Gillette walked to load the bases with no outs and then Boze and Williamson scored on a fielder's choice and an error putting ICC on top 4-2.

Danville answered with a solo home run in the top of the fifth to draw to within 4-3 but Manning produced four strikeouts and the defense hung tough over the final two innings to shut the door.

Hitting
Kiersten Manning | 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
Olivia Stirnaman | RBI
Shylar Boze | 1-3
Kelsey Gillette | 1-2

Pitching
Kiersten Manning | 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 12 K


Game 2: Danville 10, ICC 1
The first Jaguar batter drew a walk and eventually scored after a passed ball and a single to give the guests a lead they would not relinquish.  DACC scored another run in the top of the second in similar fashion, this time on a walk, hit-by-pitch, and an RBI single to go up 2-0.

ICC scored their only run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Gillette which scored Williamson, who had previously singled and stole second as ICC trailed 2-1. 

From there, it was all Danville as the Jaguars went on the offensive with a solo home run in the top of the third and then putting up a seven-spot in the top of the fourth.  

The Cougars had singles in the third from Stirnaman and Olivia Drish but could not score.  Williamson doubled to lead off the fourth but she was also left on base.   

Hitting
Kelsey Gillette | 1-1, RBI
Marley Williamson | 2-2, double
Olivia Drish | 1-3 
Olivia Stirnaman | 1-3

Pitching
Olivia Drish | 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 K
Amber Lee | 2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER

Next up:  Host Heartland in a Region 24 doubleheader on Tuesday, April 18 at Thome Field at 3pm