SOFTBALL: Du Quoin's Jackson throws no-hitter against Steeleville

Du Quoin hurler Mackenzie Jackson tossed a no-hitter and drove in a pair of runs with a triple in the Lady Indians' 4-0 win over Steeleville on Wednesday. Jackson struck out ten batters and walked three as DHS reached the .500 mark on the season at 11-11.

"Jackson hit spots, did what she was supposed to, got a lot of ground balls, a lot of strikeouts, and we didn't make any errors behind her," said Du Quoin head softball coach Jason James. "Then she got the big hit to drive in two runs as well, so she pretty much did it all today."

Alaina Caldwell walked to lead off the bottom of the second inning for the Lady Indians and wound up at third base after two wild pitches, allowing Timbra Mansfield to drive her in on a ground-out for a 1-0 lead.

Jackson delivered the big blow in the third, driving in Amber Williams (walk) and Marisa Ferguson (single) with a three-batter to make it 3-0.

Afton Robinson, Mansfield, and Hannah Marek (RBI) all singled in the sixth for Du Quoin's fourth tally.

"I thought when we did hit the ball it jumped a little more than it has been," James said. "We're pleased. We're making strides here and there. I thought the last three or four games Ferguson's thrown, she's been money for us, we're just not doing our job at the plate. Our pitchers are getting it done, we've just got to do a better job at the plate of taking care of opportunities when we get them."

Ferguson (3-3, R), Jackson (1-3, 2 RBI, 3B), Robinson (1-3), Mansfield (1-3, RBI) and Marek (1-3, RBI) had hits for the Lady Indians.

Du Quoin (11-11, 2-4) heads to Anna-Jonesboro on Friday.