Pontiac overpowers Central Catholic; Dwight rolls past GSW

In terms of innings played, Pontiac made quick work of Central Catholic in an Illini Prairie Conference softball game Monday at The Diamond at Williamson Field. The Indians needed just three innings to claim a 16-1 victory.

Pontiac scored four runs in the first inning. Bailey Masching and Mackenzie Coates had the big hits in the frame as each recorded run-scoring doubles. Maddie Gourley led off the PTHS first by reaching on an error and Elena Krause followed with a base hit.

Masching then doubled to left to drive in Gourley and Krause. Masching scored two batters later on Coates' two-base hit. Coates later scored on an errant throw on a pick-off attempt.

The Saints got their run in the top of the second on a passed ball with two outs. Pontiac responded with an eight-run outburst.

Brooke Fox led off with a bunt single and Gourley followed with a triple. Krause singled to plate Gourley and Masching registered her second two-bagger in driving in Krause to make it 7-1. Masching scored on an error after stealing third base with Coates at the plate.

Coates smacked her second double, Sam Johns walked and Makayla Metz singled as the Tribe's advantage grew to 9-1. With two outs, Fox got her second hit of the inning to load the bases and Gourley was then plunked to force in Johns. Krause doubled to drive in Metz and Fox to make it 12-1.

Pontiac ended the game by the 15-run rule with four more runs in the last of the third inning. Coates tripled with one out and scored on a Johns base knock. Helms walked with two outs and Fox singled to plate Johns. Gourley ended the game with a base hit that scored Helms and Fox.

Krause had three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs while Coates had two doubles, a triple and one run batted in to pace the Pontiac (16-5-1) offense. Fox also had three hits and a run batted in. Gourley had a triple, single and four RBIs and Masching had two doubles and three RBIs. Johns and Metz each had a single and RBI.

Krause was dominant in the circle with nine strikeouts in three innings. She allowed an unearned run, a hit and a walk.

IVC 11, Prairie Central 0

FAIRBURY — Illinois Valley Central jumped on Prairie Central pitching early and scored in each inning on its way to an 11-0 Illini Prairie Conference softball win Monday at The Diamonds at Lewis Field.

The Grey Ghosts tagged PC starter Katy Curl for two runs in the first inning and five in the second in taking a 7-0 lead. Dixie Hogan came on in the third after the first two IVC batters reached. Both runners later scored.

Hogan allowed single runs in the fourth and fifth frames.

Meanwhile, Prairie Central (4-15) was having trouble at the plate. Kyra Stephens had a one-out single in the second inning and Lillie Hogan doubled with one out in the fourth inning.

Curl took the loss after allowing nine runs, seven hits and three walks to go with two strikeouts. Dixie Hogan gave up two runs, two hits, four walks and two punchouts.

Dwight 10, GSW 0

DWIGHT — Samantha Harsh tossed a no-hitter and Dwight took care of business against rival Gardner-South Wilmington in a 10-0 nonconference victory Monday.

Harsh allowed just one baserunner in the five-inning matchup. She retired the first seven Panthers she faced, and then after the walk, set down the final eight GSW batters.

It was Harsh coming up with the key hit in the DTHS second to get the Trojans on the board. With two outs, Avery Scheuer was hit by a pitch. Harsh followed with a two-base knock to center to plate Scheuer.

Erin Anderson had a run-scoring single in the Dwight third as Megan Livingston crossed the plate. Alexis Thetard reached on an error that allowed Anderson to score to make it 3-0.

Njomsa Asllani was plunked in the DTHS fourth and was on third base when a wild pitch allowed her to score to make it 4-0.

A six-run fifth inning ended the game by the 10-run rule. Rachel Heath started the rally with a double and scored when Scheuer reached on an error. Mia Buck reached on a single that drove in one run with another tally coming on an error on the play.

Livingston doubled to plate Buck and make it 8-0. Jordan Schultz scored on an Anderson base hit and Heath walked with the bases loaded to force in Anderson and end the game.

Livingston had three hits, including a two-bagger, and a run batted in for the Trojans (7-8). Anderson had two hits and two RBIs and Harsh had a double and single and drove in a run. Buck and Heath each collected a hit and RBI and Averi Jury singled. Scheuer drove in a run.

Harsh allowed one walk and struck out five in her no-no gem.

Heyworth 5, EPG 0

EL PASO — Heyworth did its scoring early and held the El Paso-Gridley offense in check for a 5-0 Heart of Illinois Conference softball win at South Pointe Park Monday.

The Hornets got on the board with a run in the first inning and added three in the second. A run in the third completed the scoring.

The Titans (5-9) had their best chance at scoring in the first inning when Morgan Seggerman and Lydia Hall singled to open the frame.

Isabel Vargas led off the EPG fourth with a base hit.

El Paso-Gridley hurler Gracie Sieger gave up five runs (one earned), six hits, five walks and hit a batter. She also struck out two.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pontiac overpowers Central Catholic; Dwight rolls past GSW