In a game heard on WHOW and all its digital platforms, the Decatur St. Teresa Bulldogs took advantage of defensive miscues from Clinton, beating the Maroons 7-4 in non-conference high school softball action on Monday night in Clinton.
Savannah Chandler kicked off the game for St. T, hitting a line drive and reaching on an error from Clinton Pitcher Aliviyah Haynes. A bunt from Avery Harrison was grabbed by Catcher Hadley Humble, but a miscue from Shortstop Avery Smith allowed Harrison to advance to second and Chandler to third. From there, Riley Boyer bunted into a fielder's choice, allowing Chandler and Harrison to each score on missed throws to make it 2-0.
Clinton answered back with a leadoff single from Avery Smith, who scored on a Laney Brewer line drive and an error from the Bulldogs' third baseman. St. T managed a 1-2-3 groundout to retire Jaelynn Thomas, who was hit by a pitch, and the hitter Campbell Bass. Hadley Humble reached on an error and ultimately scored on a wild pitch.
In the top of the second, Chandler was walked in by Emery Krieger to take the lead back 3-2. They added another four runs in the third inning, highlighted by singles from Chandler and Krieger to make it 7-2 by the end of the inning.
Clinton got one back in a sacrifice groundout from Brewer that scored Thomas in the third, and added another run in the bottom of the fourth when Riley Fentress scored from third on a dropped third strike.
Thomas led the Maroons with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, scoring once. Smith went 1-for-4 and scored, while Fentress also scored and went 1-for-2.
Clinton was bright in circle, totally 16 strikeouts between its two pitchers. Haynes got the start and retired seven batters, allowing six runs on seven hits and walking three. Campbell Bass came in for four shutout innings of relief, striking out nine batters and walking just one.
St. Teresa was strong on the offensive end, led by Krieger's 3-for-3 outing with 3 RBIs. Chandler was 2-for-4 and plated two runs and batted in one. Harrison went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs, and Sara Maulberger posted a 1-for-3 day with a run scored.
Harrison went the distance in circle for the Bulldogs. She struck out four and walked one, allowing four runs on four hits.
With the loss, Clinton 6-13 while St. Teresa improves to 7-14.
The Lady Maroons are back at it on Friday when they travel to Shelbyville to take on the Lady Rams.
Hear the next Clinton Maroons Sports broadcast when the baseball team plays host to the Meridian Hawks on Monday. First pitch is at 4:30 PM. Hear the Central Illinois Conference Action on WHOW and all its digital platforms.
