Visiting Illini West grabbed an early lead and maintained the upper hand throughout in notching an 11-9 Prairieland Conference softball victory over Macomb High Thursday afternoon at the MHS softball field.
Illini West improved to 9-11 overall, 4-2 in Prairieland play. MHS dropped to 3-13 overall, 2-3 in league play.
The Chargers scratched out two runs in the top of the first, taking advantage of an error, a walk, two stolen bases and two wild pitches.
MHS scored once in the bottom of the inning.
Brooklyn Lyles walked with one out and moved to second when Lauren Schmalshof grounded out to first.
Lyles moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Kinley Sloan singled to left.
Illini West tallied a single run in the top of the second when Hayden Wibbell opened the frame with a home run to left against MHS pitcher Josie Elbe.
The Chargers upped their lead to 7-1 in the third.
A double, walk and error loaded the bases before Lexis Carle doubled to left, scoring two runs.
Carle scored the third run of the inning when Wibbell reached on an error by Bomber left fielder Olyvia Clark. The final run scored on a fielder’s choice by Karsyn Bliss.
The Bombers answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Lyles walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. Lauren Schmalshof singled to left, scoring Lyles, making the score 7-2.
Sloan and Lilyan Schmalshof were both hit by pitches to load the bases. Lauren Schmalshot and Sloan scored when Autumn Starback reached on an error by Wibbell at shortstop, cutting the Bomber deficit to 7-4.
Kennedy Gunning homered to center to start the top of the fourth, upping Illini West’s lead to 8-4.
Macomb’s next run came in the bottom of the fifth.
Lilyan Schmalshof walked and moved to second when Starbuck reached on an error by Illini West second baseman Corin Robinson.
Kwacala followed with a sac bunt that advanced both runners. An error on the play allowed a run to score.
Illini West scored three runs in the top of the sixth in building an 11-5 lead.
Robinson knocked in a run with a single to center before two runs scored on an error by Lyles at first base.
The Bombers responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Reagan Knowles and Lyles opened with back-to-back doubles. Courtesy runner Violet Sparks scored when Lauren Schmalshof grounded out to second.
Sloan followed with an RBI double to left before scoring on a single to short by Starbuck, bringing the Bombers within 11-8.
Macomb’s final run came in the bottom of the seventh.
Clark singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. She advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Knowles.
Illini West out-hit Macomb 11-7 and committed four errors, while the Bombers finished with five errors.
Sloan had two hits, including a double, knocking in two runs and scoring twice.
Starbuck recorded three runs batted in, while Lauren Schmalshof had a hit and a run scored, adding two RBIs.
Lyles and Knowles doubled with Lyles scoring three runs. Knowles also batted in one run, with Clark adding a hit and a run scored.
Lilyan Schmalshof and Sparks scored one run each.
In the circle, Elbe pitched seven innings, allowing 11 runs, six earned, on 11 hits. She struck out three and walked seven.
Raina Flynn had three hits, including a pair of doubles, scoring twice for Illini West. Carle also had two hits, including a pair of doubles, knocking in three runs and scoring once.
Gunning had two hits, including a home run with two runs scored, while Hayden Wibbell also homered.
Natalie Wibbell and Robinson both scored twice, while Bliss added two hits.
McKenzie Yeakey allowed nine runs, five earned, on seven hits. She struck out seven, walked six and hit three batters.
Macomb was slated to return to action Monday, playing at Quincy Notre Dame (14-9) before hosting Rockridge (16-5) on Tuesday.
