South Central Reaches Elite Eight

The two teams didn't score in the opening frame. The lone run for the game came in the second inning.

South Central's Beau Jolliff reached on an error. Sam Rubin singled to left field. After a strikeout on a bunt attempt, Spencer Johannes hit a fly ball to right field and Jolliff tagged and went to third. With two outs, Brandt Heistand bunted and Jolliff scored.

That was the excitement of the contest as it was a pitcher's duel between Stouh Central's Chase Dodson and North Clay's Carson Burkett.

Dodson went all seven innings allowing two hits, four walks while striking out eight for the win.

Burkett went all seven innings allowing three hits, no walks while strking out four.

Rubin finished with two singles for the Cougars while C. Dodson had a single. Hiestand had the lone RBI.

For North Clay Donnie Zimmerman and Dakota Weidner had a single each. The Cardinals ended the season with an 18-8 record.

Coach Kurt Jones' squad advanced with a 23-3 mark and will now take on Goreville at 4 p.m. today in the Class 1A Carbonale Super-Sectional at Southern Illinois University. The winner advances to the Class 1A State Tournament Thursday at Illinois State University in Normal. If the Cougars win, they will meet either Kewanee Wethersfield Co-op or Mount Pulaski at 1 p.m. Those two teams are playing today at the Normal Illinois State University Super-Sectional at 4 p.m.

Others in field include Sterling Newman Central Catholic taking on Newark at 4 p.m. today at Rockford Rivets Stadium and Camp Point Central meeting Glen Carbon Father McGivney at 6 p.m. at Springfield Lincoln Land Community College at 6 today.

The four winners advance to games Thursday at 4 p.m. The losers will then play for third place at 4 p.m. while the winners meet at 7 p.m. for the state championship. 

Class 1A North Clay Sectional

South Central           010    000    0    --    1-3-0

North Clay                000    000    0    --    0-2-1

WP -- C. Dodson. LP -- Burkett.

South Central -- C. Dodson, single; Rubin, 2 singles; Hiestand, 1 RBI

North Clay -- Zimmerman, single; Weidner, single