SOFTBALL: Du Quoin downs Z-R-C in Regional round one

Mackenzie Jackson's two-run base hit in the bottom of the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie and Marisa Ferguson allowed only four hits, helping the Lady Indians get past Zeigler-Royalton-Christopher on Monday and advance into the next round of the IHSA postseason with a 4-1 victory in Du Quoin.

"Ferguson pitched very well and got herself out of a couple jams," said DHS head softball coach Jason James. "Our defense was solid and Jackson came up with a big two-run single."

The win was the seventh in a row for the Lady Indians, who will meet top-seeded Pinckneyville (22-9) at 4:30 p.m. in Tuesday's Class 2A Regional semifinals in Du Quoin. The winner will advance to Saturday's 11:00 a.m. championship against either West Frankfort or Waltonville.

"We have to bring our A-game tomorrow," said James, "and I have no doubt that we will."

Du Quoin was on top 1-0 after Jackson was hit by a pitch from Z-R-C hurler Nicole Short and later scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning. Ferguson had a single in the frame to advance Jackson with one out.

The Lady Tornadoes knotted it up at a run apiece in the top of the third following a walk to Lynnsay Wilson, a single by Short, and an error in the field that allowed Sammie Bright to reach safely. Ferguson would only allow one more hit the rest of the way, though, retiring thirteen of the last fourteen Z-R-C hitters to step to the plate.

Jackson's two-run single in the fifth came with two outs and plated both Timbra Mansfield (single) and Amber Williams (single), then Afton Robinson drove in Ferguson (single) with a base hit in the sixth for some insurance.

Jackson (1-2, R, 2 RBI, HBP), Ferguson (2-3, R), Robinson (1-3, RBI), Mansfield (1-3, R) and Williams (1-2, R) had hits for the Lady Indians. Ferguson didn't surrender an earned run, walked two and fanned seven.