Woodland knocks off Dwight for softball regional title

DWIGHT — Playing at its best at the end of the season is something all softball teams strive for, and Woodland appears to be doing just that. The Warriors posted their second straight shutout in winning the Class 1A Dwight Regional Saturday.

The Woodland-Flanagan-Cornell co-op blanked host Dwight 4-0 to earn a spot in the Walther Christian Sectional where WFC (19-10) will meet Newark in the second semifinal on Tuesday at Triton College in River Grove.

Shae Simons was sharp as she held the Trojans in check, allowing just two hits. She struck out nine.

Simons was also fortunate to have an offense provide her with a lead before she threw her first pitch of the game. The Warriors pushed across two runs in the top of the first inning.

Olivia Chismarick singled to lead off the game and, after moving to second on a passed ball, scored the game's first run when Ella Derossett beat out a bunt for a single.

Cloee Johnston singled with one out to drive in Derossett for a 2-0 lead.

Simons then stared down the top of the Dwight order in the last of the first, retiring Erin Anderson on a fly ball and then striking out Megan Livingston and Taylor Heath.

Simons retired the first 10 batters she faced, losing her no-hit bid in the fourth inning when Livingston singled with one out. She retired the next seven straight DTHS batters.

In the meantime, Madi Ely found her groove in the circle for the Trojans. Despite allowing a hit in the second and a two-out single in the third inning, Ely was able to keep the Warriors in check.

Woodland finally broke through in the fifth inning. Chismarick drew a leadoff walk for the Warriors and then moved up to second on a sacrifice from Derossett. Chismarick scored when Cheyenne Burns singled with two outs to make it 3-0.

Simons started off the trek for another run for WFC in the sixth inning with a base hit on the first pitch. Kaiden Connor got the sacrifice bunt down and Simons raced from first to third on the play. Simons scored the Warriors' final marker when on a groundout by Clara Downey.

Dwight's best scoring opportunity came in th bottom of the sixth inning. Anderson doubled with two outs and Livingston reached on an error.Livingston made it to second and gave DTHS two runners in scoring position with powerful Taylor Heath coming up to bat.

Heath flew out to end the threat and Simons retired the Trojans in order in the seventh to close out the victory.

Chismarick and Emma Highland each had two hits while Derossett, Burns and Johnston each contributed a hit and run batted in. Simons had a single and Downey drove in a run.

Anderson doubled and Livingston singled for Dwight (16-10). Ely took the loss in the circle, giving up four runs (three earned), eight hits and three walks. She fanned six.

Lexington Regional

LEXINGTON — It's hope of a regional title went by the board Saturday as hos Lexington dropped a 4-2 decision to Heart of Illinois Conference rival Heyworth at Keller Park.

In winning the Class 1A Lexington Regional, Heyworth advanced to the Illinois Wesleyan Sectional. The Minutemen sees its season end with a 12-18 mark.

Heyworth tagged Lexington starter Camden Hardman for a run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Minutemen responded in kind in the top of the second. LHS provided an answer for the two innings the Hornets scored.

Hardman doubled with one out in the Lexington second as the Minutemen fought back to tie the game. He scored the equalizer when Hayden Sennett reached on an error. LHS left two runners on base when the inning ended.

Tyler Wills belted a three-run homer in the third inning for Heyworth, giving the Hornets a 4-2 lead. Heyworth did not threaten to score the rest of the game.

Lexington got one run back in the top of the fourth inning. Blaine Friedmansky scored after a walk to Nolan Bowles that loaded the bases with two outs, making it 4-2.

Like Heyworth, Lexington was unable to mount any challenge over the final three innings.

Friedmansky had two hits while Hardman had a two-base hit and Drake Powell singled for the Minutemen. Hardman took the loss on the bump, giving up four runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

Wills had two hits, including a homer, and drove in three runs to lead the Heyworth offense. Wills also got the win on the bump after scattering four hits and walking two in going the distance. He fanned four.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Woodland-Flanagan-Cornell beats Dwight for softball regional title