The Salem Lady Cats won their regional opener 5-1 over Mattoon in Highland. Bre Thurman was great in her 5 innings getting the win and striking out 5. Lilly Blagoue came in to get the save, going 2 innings striking out 3. At the plate Olivia Paulson went 3-3 with 3 rbis, 2 of them coming on her 11th homerun of the year. Blagoue was 2-2 driving in 2, including a solo shot her 16th of the year. Salem is back at it Friday for the Regional Championship against Effingham looking for their 2nd straight regional title after winning a 2a title last year.
Today is regional championships around the area in 3a. At Carbondale, the Mount Vernon Lady Rams take on powerhouse Marion. Charleston and Champaign Central will play at Mahomet, Mt Zion will host Danville.
In 4a regional semifinals yesterday, Quincy beat Collinsville 11-0 in five innings at Belleville East. Tonight, Edwardsville will host Belleville West.
It was a classic at the Carterville 2a sectional semifinal, when the hosts outlasted Carmi 1-0 in 14 innings. At Greenville, Mater Dei’s season ended with a 2-1 loss to Gillespie.
