Skye Meler powered a high-scoring win for the Lancers on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, and single in a 13-9 victory over Illinois Valley Softball.
The Lancers wasted no time getting on the board in the bottom of the first. Maya Hataway singled up the middle to drive in a run, and Olivia Avalos followed with a two-run homer to center, staking the home team to an early 3-0 lead.
They added two more runs in the second thanks to an RBI single from Shayanne St Louis and a run-scoring groundout by Tyler Brock. In the third, Taylor Kruser lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in another run, extending the lead to 6-0.
Illinois Valley stormed back with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Maddy Pangrcic, RBI hits from Cassie Zimmerman, Shanna Peterson, and Callee Bauer, and a sacrifice tag-up by Peterson. The rally closed the gap to 9-8.
After an error helped the Lancers regain the lead at 10-9 in the bottom of the fifth, the offense stayed hot in the sixth. Hataway doubled in a run before Meler crushed a two-run homer to center, sealing the 13-9 victory.
Nadia McCabe earned the win for the Lancers, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. Grace Kitterman started the game, allowing nine runs (seven earned) over 4.1 innings. Illinois Valley's Shae Simons went the distance, giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on 14 hits over six innings.
The Lancers racked up 14 hits in the win. Hataway and Meler each collected three hits, with Hataway driving in three runs. Brock, Avalos, and Megan Livingston all had multi-hit games. Livingston also swiped two bases, as the Lancers stole five in total.
Illinois Valley matched the Lancers with 14 hits of their own. Ava Lambert led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, while Pangrcic, Avah Moriarty, Peterson, and Bauer each had multiple hits. Peterson drove in two runs from the eighth spot in the lineup.
The Lancers move into the afternoon Championship games- CLC must win 2 games vs. Bryant & Stratton College in order to advance - Bryant & Stratton College only needs 1 win vs. CLC in order to advance.
