The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Stronghurst- The softball girls at West Central Middle School are at it again! The Heat secured their third consecutive regional championship at Stan Fisher Field last Tuesday night against Ridgewood.
The Spartans were the first to score, and they maintained their lead all the way to the bottom of the seventh inning. Never losing hope, the Heat finally found their stride and tied the game at six runs each.
Payton Link and Addy Burrell both reached base on singles, Rebecca Hinshaw walked, and Lilly Higgins was hit by a pitch. Payton Eisnnicher and Kaylee Mills each reached base with hard hit ground balls. Miley Stimpson was able to hold the Spartans back with two strikeouts in the top of the 8th inning and a groundout to third baseman Lilly Higgins.
With West Central back up to bat in the bottom of the 8th, the crowd was growing louder and louder. Payton Link led off the inning again with another single followed by a single from Brooklyn Eisnnicher.
Addy Burrell laid down a beautiful sac bunt advancing both runners.
With only 1 out, the Spartans intentionally walked Rebecca Hinshaw to load the bases bringing Stimpson back to the plate.
Miley connected on the first pitch for a long single to win the Regional title for the Heat in a dramatic walk-off fashion! The final score was Ridgewood 6, West Central 7.
The Heat had 9 hits collectively and Miley Stimpson pitched 8 innings, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits and striking out 12.
After winning the 2A regional championship, the Heat traveled to Wenona on Saturday to face the Stark County Lady Rebels for the Sectional title.
Miley Stimpson threw another impressive no-hitter. Her 12 strikeouts combined with some solid defensive plays allowed for the shutout victory over the Rebels.
The Heat tallied a total of 11 hits. Lilly Higgins drove in 2 runs on a homerun in the 2nd inning. Stimpson contributed 3 hits, while Rebecca Hinshaw and Addy Burrell each had 2.
The Heat are next in action Friday as they travel back to Champion Fields in Normal to face Pleasant Plains in the Elite Eight round of the IESA State Championship Series.
First pitch is at 2:00. The bus will leave West Central Middle School at 10:00 a.m. that Friday morning. Help us line the streets and cheer them on to another victory! A win on Friday will secure a spot in the Final Four to be played on Saturday.
West Central Heat softball girls won their 3rd consecutive Regional Championship. Seated, holding the plaque is Miley Stimpson. L-R Kneeling: Hayli Strange, Layla Cook, Lia Klossing, Rebecca Hinshaw, Addy Burrell, Jenna Bewley, Zoey McIntyre, Laney Salyers, Logan Thompson, Addalyn McSparen, and Nadia Good. Standing: KayleeAnn Tomson, Linny Corzatt, Brooklyn Eisnnicher, Payton Eisnnicher, Lilly Higgins, Kaylee Mills, Macee McConnell, Rylie Ferguson, Payton Link, Taelyn Kelly, Lexi Alsager.
Holding the Sectional plaque for the 8th Grade Girls Heat Softball champions, in front center is Miley Stimpson.
Kneeling from left is -Addalyn McSparen, Jenna Bewley, Layla Cook, Hayli Strange, Lia Klossing, Rebecca Hinshaw, Addy Burrell, Zoey McIntyre, Laney Salyers, Logan Thompson, and Nadia Good. Standing from left is- Macee McConnell, KayleeAnn Tomson, Payton Eisnnicher, Lilly Higgins, Linny Corzatt, Brooklyn Eisnnicher, Rylie Ferguson, Kaylee Mills, Payton Link, Taelyn Kelly, and Lexi Alsager. (Coaches are Dylan Voyles and Hallie Eisnnicher). Congratulations and Good luck in the Elite Eight Champions Series at State!