In a game heard on WHOW, WEZC and at dewittdailynews.com, Reese Patton went the distance leading Monticello to a 5-1 win over Clinton in non-conference high school softball action from the Wilkey Complex in Monticello.

The Lady Maroons could not solve the Monticello senior who had help from her defense at pivotal spots in the game.

Patton struck out five and allowed eight hits while issuing just one walk. 

The Lady Maroons opened the game with a huge opportunity. They got back-to-back one out hits. Avery Smith looped a short fly ball just behind third base. Monticello shortstop Sadie Walsh had the ball go off the end of her glove on a diving attempt but the Clinton runner was thrown out at third base having to wait to see if the catch could be made.  Hadley Humble brought home a run with a base hit but the inning ended when Analise Thompson was thrown out trying to score from second base.

Monticello answered with a three-run second inning highlighted by an Ali Weidner two-run double.

The score remained 3-1 until Patton brought home two runs on a base hit in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

In the fourth inning, Patton induced an inning-ending double play on a ground ball to shortstop and then got a strikeout-throw out on a steal attempt in the fifth inning, thwarting two more Lady Maroons scoring chances.

Patton earned the Monticello ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.

Armstrong was very effective in circle for Clinton Wednesday. Despite allowing five runs, the senior did not record a strikeout and allowed six hits and a walk. Very little contact made by Monticello was hard contact.

Hadley Humble led Clinton going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Thompson was 2-for-3 for the Lady Maroons. Ariana Humes was 2-for-3 as well. 

Hadley Humbe was the Clinton ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game. 

The Lady Maroons drop to 5-7 overall. They host Central A&M on Friday afternoon.

The Lady Sages go to 11-8 and will travel to Tolono Unity on Thursday.