SOFTBALL: Lady Warriors advance to Regional final

The Lady Warriors will get another shot at Johnston City in Monday's Regional championship game after knocking off West Frankfort 8-2 in Thursday's semifinal. Du Quoin's Morgan Bullar drove in four runs, including a pair on a two-run homer in DMS's four-run third inning where they took the lead for good.

"Well we didn't play our greatest ,but I think our nerves got the best of us early," said Lady Warriors head coach Jason James. "We settled down and had some good at bats, Bullar broke it open with two-run bomb in the third. We have three days to get some work in and we will take advantage of it to get some things cleaned up. We are looking forward to the challenge."

In the circle, Chloe Hill didn't allow an earned run and struck out a dozen batters. She gave up just five hits and a walk. Errors led to both West Frankfort runs, one in each of the first two innings.

But both times DMS bounced right back with a run. In the bottom of the first, Katie Smith singled, stole two bases, then scored on Bullar's gound-out RBI. In the second, Arrah Barwick singled and later scored on a two-out base hit by Olivia Whitley, tying the score at 2-2.

In the bottom of the third Du Quoin created some separation on the scoreboard. Smith led off with a triple and scored moments later on Maci Mckinnies' single. Then Bullar delivered a two-run shot to give DMS a 5-2 edge. The Lady Warriors weren't done, adding another run after singles from Barwick and Avery Waller.

Bullar and Hill both had RBIs later in the game to provide some insurance.

Smith (2-3, 3 R, 3B, BB), Mckinnies (2-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B), Bullar (2-3, R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR, BB), Hill (1-4, RBI), Barwick (2-4, 2 R), Waller (1-4) and Whitley (2-3, RBI) provided the Lady Warriors' twelve hits in the game.

DMS will meet Johnston City, the team that ended their thirteen-game winning streak back on September 19th, on Monday at Johnston City for the Regional championship. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.