General 5/10/2023 10:05:00 AM

Softball Finishes 2nd at Region 24 Tournament

Team qualifies for District Central B Championship Series

CHAMPAIGN, IL - Postseason time for any sport is an exciting, hectic time. For the Jaguar softball team, it has been nothing short of that. Danville, who now has an overall record of 40-21, were able to qualify to play in the District Central B Championship Series after losing to Parkland 4-1 in the final game of the Region 24 Tournament.

The tournament started out with a pair of victories over Heartland on Wednesday, May 3rd. That placed the Jaguars in the semifinal round at Parkland College. Danville faced Illinois Central on Saturday, May 6th where they beat the Cougars 3-2 in 11 innings. A home run from both Danielle Shuey and Ashlynn McPeak in the top of the 7th boosted the Jaguars to a 2-1 lead, but Illinois Central was able to score another run in the bottom of the 7th that sent the game into extra innings. A back and forth battle between pitchers and defense would ultimately end when Danville was able to score off of a bunt from Jewelia Wolfe. Raven Morrison struckout the final Cougar batter in the bottom of the 11th, securing the 3-2 victory. Kyleigh Weller, who started the game in the circle, sat down 4 batters in her 6 innings, while Morrison sat down 7 in her 5 innings pitched.

That victory put the Jaguars into their next game on Saturday against the top seed Parkland Cobras, who beat Danville 15-12. The Jaguars jumped on the board early when they scored 8 runs in the 2nd inning, whereas Parkland only scored 2. The Cobras then added 11 more in the bottom of the 3rd, making the score 13-8. They only added 2 more in the bottom of the 5th, and Danville scored 4 in the top of the 7th, but were unable to score any more. Rylee Richey and Ashlynn McPeak each had a home run, while Danielle Shuey had 4 RBIs and Beth Pavy had 2 RBIs. Richey also struckout 3 batters, while Raven Morrison struckout 2.

That loss put Danville up against Illinois Central once again, as the Cougars beat Spoon River after their first loss to Danville. That game was supposed to take place on Sunday, the 7th, but due to weather, the game was moved to Tuesday, May 9th. Thanks to a home run each from Beth Pavy and Ashlynn McTagertt, and another RBI from Danielle Shuey, Danville won 3-1. Kyleigh Weller struckout 3 batters, and Morrison struckout 2.

Parkland was their next opponent in the Region 24 Championship. Danville was only able to score 1 run against the Cobras from an RBI off the bat of Raven Morrison. Ashlynn McPeak and Morrison both had 2 hits each, but it wasn't enough as Parkland topped the Jaguars 4-1, automatically sending the Cobras to the NJCAA Division II National Softball Championship Tournament.

Next up for the Jaguars is the District Central B Championship Series where they will travel to St. Louis to face St. Louis Community College on May 13th at 12 and 2 PM. The Jaguars traveled to St. Louis back on April 26th where they beat them in a doubleheader 2-1 and 8-7. If Danville wins, that crowns them champions of that district and sends them to the National Tournament.

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Players Mentioned

#42 Ashlynn McPeak: OF; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#12 Ashlynn McTagertt: Utility; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#4 Raven Morrison: Utility/RHP; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#5 Rylee Richey: 1B & P; 5' 10"; Freshman

#3 Kyleigh Weller: OF & P; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#11 Danielle Shuey: OF; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#24 Jewelia Wolfe: INF; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#42 Ashlynn McPeak
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: OF

#12 Ashlynn McTagertt
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: Utility

#4 Raven Morrison
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: Utility/RHP

#5 Rylee Richey
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: 1B & P

#3 Kyleigh Weller
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: OF & P

#11 Danielle Shuey
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: OF

#24 Jewelia Wolfe
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: INF