Prep Softball: Harrisburg remains perfect after pair of early week wins

Staff Report

McLEANSBORO

A year after winning just seven games, the Harrisburg softball team continues its hot start to the season, improving to 10-0 with a pair of early week wins.

On Tuesday, Harrisburg picked up its second win of the season against Hamilton County, beating the Foxes 3-2 and knocked off Du Quoin 10-1 in a cross conference matchup Monday.

Harrisburg 3, Hamilton County 2

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the top of seventh inning when Joey's Quinn's infield single to short was misplayed and scored Lily Cranmore and Abby Stacey.

Quinn was 1-for-3 with an RBI as she had a fourth inning home run to tie the game at 1. Hamilton County scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth with a home run to take a 2-1 lead.

Harrisburg had seven hits against Hamilton County as Kerrigan Payne was 3-for-3, while Kinzleigh Smothers and Stacey were both 1-for-4 and Layla Borders was 1-for-2.

In the circle, Payne improved to 8-0 with a five strikeout performance. The senior allowed two runs on seven hits, while walking one.

Harrisburg 10, Du Quoin 1

Harrisburg scored in every inning, but two (second and sixth) in a 10-1 win over Du Quoin Monday.

Stacey and Quinn were both 3-for-5 as Quinn finished with three RBI and had a double where she drove in a run in the third inning. Stacey finished an RBI and had a double in the fourth inning.

Payne finished 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Borders was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Neal finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and a double in the third inning.

Payne allowed one run on five hits in the circle, while striking out nine.

Harrisburg is seventh in the latest MaxPreps rankings that feature two other teams in the top 10. Carterville is No. 1 and Zeigler-Royalton ranks fifth.