Illinois Valley Rallies Late to Defeat Lancers, 5-2

Illinois Valley Softball broke a late tie and surged past the Lancers with a three-run seventh inning, earning a 5-2 victory on Saturday.

Illinois Valley struck first in the third inning when Ava Lambert ripped a double to drive in a run. The Lancers responded in the bottom of the fourth as Tyler Brock delivered a clutch two-run single, giving the home team a 2-1 lead.

The visitors answered quickly in the fifth when Maddy Pangrcic launched a solo home run to center field after a gritty six-pitch at-bat, tying the game at 2-2.

In the seventh, Illinois Valley capitalized on a defensive miscue that allowed two runs to score. Lambert followed with an RBI single to cap the inning and extend the lead to 5-2.

Shae Simons earned the win in dominant fashion, going the distance while allowing just two hits and no earned runs over seven innings. She struck out four and walked one. Grace Kitterman pitched a complete game for the Lancers, surrendering five runs (two earned) on seven hits and four walks.

Lambert led Illinois Valley offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Simons also collected two hits. As a team, Illinois Valley showed patience at the plate with four walks and played solid defense, turning a double play.

Brock paced the Lancers' offense with two RBIs and finished 1-for-3. Katalina Ybarra also chipped in a hit. Defensively, the Lancers turned one double play in the contest.