Rock Island pulls away from Galesburg in softball
Rock Island broke open a 3-0 game with five runs in the fourth inning and added three more in the fifth to finish an 11-0 Western Big 6 Conference victory over Galesburg on April 21.
The loss was Galesburg’s 11th straight and its third consecutive shutout.
The Silver Streaks finished with two hits and three errors, while Rock Island collected nine hits. Taylor Lee and Avayah Bridgewater each had a hit for Galesburg.
Galesburg had 18 plate appearances and stranded three runners.
After the game, coach Andrea Sampson said offensive production remains the team’s biggest issue.
“I think that our biggest shortcoming right now is hitting the ball,” Sampson said. “The other team’s going to hit and they’re going to score. That’s how softball’s supposed to be played. And we have got to find a way to produce.”
Sampson said lineup adjustments may be needed as the team works to generate more offense.
“We’re really focusing at practice the days that we can practice to try and hit the ball,” she said. “And limiting the errors when we can.”
Rock Island’s top hitters led the way. AJ Lincoln went 4 for 4 with three runs scored and five RBIs, including a home run and two triples. Ella DeJonghe added a home run and two RBIs.
“We had a couple errors that didn’t help,” Sampson said. “I don’t think that it cost us the game, but it did not help.”
Lee pitched 4⅔ innings for Galesburg, allowing eight hits and nine runs, though only one was earned. Bridgewater recorded one out and allowed two earned runs.
Rock Island pitcher Tinley James worked four innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two.
Sampson said Lee has carried a heavy workload and that the Silver Streaks will need more pitching depth as the schedule tightens.
“She’s battling as best as she can,” Sampson said. “And I don’t attribute any loss or win to one person. It’s a team thing. It’s a team effort.”
She added that younger pitchers are getting work at both the junior varsity and varsity levels.
Galesburg continues a four-game homestand this week, hosting Illinois Valley on April 22, United Township on April 23 and Macomb on April 24. All games are scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Quincy scored a season-high nine goals in a 9-0 victory over Galesburg on April 21 in Quincy.
The Blue Devils broke the match open early, scoring seven goals in the first half and adding two more in the second.
Galesburg was held scoreless as Quincy secured its first conference win of the season.
The loss dropped the Silver Streaks to 7-4-1 overall. Quincy improved to 3-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
Galesburg’s scheduled match at Quad City Christian School on April 23 has been canceled.
The Silver Streaks are next set to host Western Big 6 rival Rock Island at 6 p.m. April 28 at CBI Bank & Trust Stadium.
Blackburn sweeps Knox softball
The Knox College softball team dropped a nonconference doubleheader to Blackburn on April 21 in Galesburg, falling 11-1 in five innings in the opener and 10-2 in the second game.
In the first game, Knox retired Blackburn in order in the top of the first inning and then took its only lead in the bottom half. Chelsea McKee opened with a double to center field, and Maddie Hicks followed with a single. McKee later scored on Victoria Torres’ groundout.
That was all the offense Knox could generate in the opener.
Blackburn responded with six runs in the second inning, four in the third and one in the fourth.
In the second game, Knox fell behind 3-0 before cutting into the deficit in the third inning on a Taylor Goudschaal single.
Blackburn extended its lead to 10-1 in the sixth inning before Janet Lentini drove in Victoria Torres for Knox’s final run.
The Prairie Fire (8-22) will play at Illinois College in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. They return home for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. April 26.
