Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
Russell Conwell/River Radio Sports Central
JOHNSTON CITY – The Trico Pioneers are headed back to the 1A State Softball semifinals for the first time since 2016 after holding off Windsor/Stew-Stras 5-3 in eight innings to win the Johnston City 1A Supersectional.
Hayleigh Franklin provided the go ahead two-run single in the top of the eighth for Trico, and senior pitcher Josie Wettig shut down the Hatchets in the bottom of the eighth, setting off a wild celebration for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers trailed 1-0 in the third until Taylor Cottom drove in Franklin with a single to center to tie the game 1-1.
WSS regained a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning on a squeeze bunt from Mya Friese to score Sam Hunt.
It remained 2-1 until the top of the sixth, when Trico freshman Greta Jones sent a hot shot back up the middle that got through, scoring Whitney Lovel and Kaylynn Bowerman giving Trico a 3-2 lead.
But the Hatchets tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch, eventually sending the game to extra innings.
The Pioneers improve to 25-5. They will now face Illini Bluffs in the second 1A semifinal Friday at 12:30 in Peoria at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex. Villa Grove will take on Woodhall (AlWood) in the first semi at 10:00.
