Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
CARTERVILLE — The division may have changed, but the result was familiar–behind a no-hitter from sophomore Caidence Phillips, the Carterville Lions wrapped up their fourth straight softball conference title with a 6-0 win over Murphysboro.
The Lions are champions in their first year in the Ohio side of the River to River after winning the last three Mississippi championships.
Phillips allowed only two walks on the day and didn’t allow a Red Devils’ runner past second base.
Murphysboro freshman pitcher Blaire Fox worked around a bases loaded threat in the second and matched Phillips zero for zero through the first four innings.
The Lions got to Fox in the fifth. Amayah Doyle provided the game’s first runs with a two-run double off the top of the fence in left center. Three batters later, Taryn Ford added a two-run single. Carterville batted around, plating six runs for a 6-0 lead.
Phillips finished off the shutout and the no-hitter getting the final six Red Devils batters.
Carterville improves to 23-1 (7-0). Murphysboro falls to 16-5 (5-2).
