Junior Hornettes Book Return Trip To State

NMS Softball Squad Advances To State Tournament Following Win Over Breese

The Jr. Hornettes Softball team defeated Breese 12-1 to win the SIJHSAA Class M Region 7 Softball Regional, and advance to State. FRONT ROW, Emily Guest, Allison Maschhoff, Riley Redman, Jordan Donato, Daphne Kollbaum, Annie Ahlers, Ryan Stiegman, Emme Paszkiewicz,, Brooklyne Luessenheide. BACK ROW, Abby Knepp, Coach Amber Winchester, Kendall Donato, Daci Finke, Jill Kuhl, Baylie Newman, Valerie Combs, Korbi Rhine, Emma Eberhart, Hope Liszewski, Taylor Birkner, Coach Breanne Pelker, Lilly Redman.

By Brent Huelsmann

The Nashville Middle School Jr. Hornettes softball team, advanced to State for the third consecutive year, after defeating Breese 12-1  in the Regional Championship game. After dropping a game to Murphysboro, the Jr. Hornettes ended the regular season with a win over DuQuoin before beating Aviston and Breese in the postseason.

On September 18, the Jr. Hornettes suffered a rare loss to Murphysboro 18-7. Nashville took an early 2-0 lead, but Murphysboro came back with eight runs in the second to take control. Murphysboro would lead the rest of the way, as Nashville would only get as close as 9-5  in the third inning. Murphysboro would score two in the fifth, three in the sixth and four in the seventh to round out their scoring, while the Jr. Hornettes score one run apiece in each the sixth and seventh innings to round out the scoring on their side.

Emmerson Paszkiewicz led the way with two hits and two walks offensively, while Jordan Donato finished with two walks, a hit and two runs scored at the top of the lineup. Daphne Kollbaum, Annie Ahlers, and Riley Redman all scored a run without getting a hit in the loss, while both Hope Liszewski and Ryan Stiegman finished with a hit and a run for Nashville.

Nashville got back on the winning track as they ended the regular season with a 7-5 win over DuQuoin on the road. Nashville was led in the game, by Emily Guest who finished with two hits in the contest. Donato, Ahlers, Kollbaum, Paszkiewicz, Jill Kuhl, and Baylie Newman all had at least one hit in the win. Redman walked for the Jr. Hornettes.

Nashville then began postseason play with a 10-0 win over Aviston in just five innings. Nashville took
control in the first, as two runs crossed the plate for the Jr. Hornettes. Nashville would double their lead in the third with two runs, before getting six runs in the fourth to grab a 10-0 advantage.

Sitegman and Paszkiewicz each had two hits and a run scored in the win, while Donato and Kollbaum each finished with one hit. Kuhl and Guest each walked and scored.

The Jr. Hornettes advanced to State with a 12-1 win over Breese. Nashville took the early lead, as the Jr. Hornettes led Breese 6-1 after just three innings of play. Nashville would go on to victory from there, taking the 12-1 win over Breese to advance to State.

Paszkiewicz led the way with three hits and two runs socred, while Stiegman finished with two doubles and two runs in the game. Donato finished the game 1-3 with a walk, and two runs scored. Valerie Combs scored two runs in the win, while Ahlers, Liszewski and Kollbaum crossed the plate for Nashville.

Nashville will begin their quest for a State Title when they play Smithton, Saturday September 30 at 9:30 a.m. All State Tournament games will be played at Perry County Fairgrounds in Pinckneyville.