Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
CARTERVILLE — The defending 2A state champs find themselves in the midst of a busy and challenging week here early in the season.
After defeating Carmi-White County 11-5 Tuesday and before tangling with Marengo then four Kentucky schools this weekend, the Carterville Lady Lions welcomed unbeaten Chester Wednesday afternoon.
And the Lady Lions were rather rude hosts.
Carterville took control early, sending 12 batters to the plate in a six-run second inning, and that was more than enough for junior pitching standout Caidence Phillips.
After allowing a lead off single, which was promptly erased with a caught stealing by catcher Colbie Bennett, Phillips struck out 13 of the next 15 batters she faced, with the Yellow Jackets only other baserunner coming via an error.
Carterville tacked on single runs in third and fourth, then made it a short game with four runs in the fifth, capped by Kendall McCalla’s walkoff three-run home run.
The Lady Lions improve to 3-1 on the season. They will host Marengo Thursday, before playing McCracken County and Paducah Tilghman Friday at SIU, then Livingston Central and Marshall County Saturday at Mtn Dew Park in the Illinois/Kentucky Border Wars Friday at Saturday.
Chester falls to 6-1. The Yellow Jackets are off until Saturday when they will play a doubleheader at Pinckneyville.
