Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
PEORIA – The Carterville Lady Lions are headed back to the 2A Softball State Championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2016 after dethroning three-time defending champ Rockridge, 1-0 in ten innings.
Carterville also beat Rockridge in the semifinals in a one-run game (6-5) in 2016.
This semifinal was much different as Rockets’ senior pitcher Kendra Lewis and Lady Lions’ sophomore Caidence Phillips clashed in an epic pitchers’ duel.
Neither team had a hit through the first four innings, and neither team scored through the first nine innings.
That’s not to say there weren’t chances.
A couple of baserunning mishaps cost Carterville along the way, while Rockridge was just unable to get the needed timely hit.
Case in point, the bottom of the seventh. The Rockets got the first two runners on and had the winning run at second base, but Phillips struck out the next three batters.
Carterville finally got that clutch hit in the tenth. A pair of walks gave the Lady Lions a two-out opportunity, and senior Kennedy Rushing delivered with a basehit to right center. That scored Karson Caudill to give Carterville a 1-0 lead.
Phillips got the first two outs in the bottom of the tenth before a walk and a single put the tying and winning runs on the corners with two outs for the Rockets. Phillips gave way to Taryn Ford, who came on and struck out Charley Perkins to end it, setting off a huge Carterville celebration.
Phillips finished with 15 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings for the win, allowing only four hits along the way. Lewis was the tough luck loser, giving up the one run on five hits while striking out eight in 10 innings.
Carterville will face North Boone out of Poplar Grove at 4:30 Saturday in the championship game. The Vikings shut out Auburn 2-0 in the other semifinal.
The Lady Lions will be without senior starting first baseman Lacie Carr, who injured her knee during a second inning at bat. She had to be helped from the field and was on crutches after the game.
