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The Salem Wildcats grabbed an early lead in their Sectional semifinal game against Mascoutah leading 2-0 after the first inning, but after 3 rain delays and 4 hours later, Salem fell 16-2 and finished their season at 16-15.

Salem got out early when Jalen Inlow led off the bottom of the first with a double and Cody Beard laid down a sac bunt that the pitcher fielded and then threw to third wildly with the ball going to the outfield and Inlow scoring with Beard moving to 2nd.  He would score on a Ryan Detering single to make it 2-0.

Mascoutah would switch pitcher after the first inning, and Darren Klein came in and shut down the Wildcats offense allowing just 2 hits and struck out 7 in his 6 innings of relief.  Nathan Walker went 3-5 in the 9-spot for the Indians including a double and triple and drove in 4 runs.  Noah Nix took the loss, as he finishes his stellar career tied for the most wins in Salem Baseball history.  He also went 2-3 at the plate.  Cooper Lobek singled and Brayden Rector also had a hit.

The 25-8 Indians will take on 30-6 Triad after their 9-1 win over Marion in the 2nd game.

Today in 3a sectional semifinals at Lincoln, Mt Zion takes on Champaign Central followed by Mahomet Seymour and Chatham Glenwood.

The 4a Illinois Wesleyan Sectional starts today.  Edwardsville and O’Fallon will play at 4pm at Alton High School.  The other semifinal is Bradley Bourbonnais and Normal Community.