Logan softballers split at Olney

Logan Media Services

OLNEY –Jessica Hirsch of Du Quoin belted a single, double and her first collegiate home run, drove in two runs and stole a base while Heather Johnson accounted for two hits and two RBIs as the John A. Logan College softball team defeated Olney, 6-4, in the second game of a doubleheader to salvage a split,Thursday.

The host Knights won the opener, 7-5.

With the split, the Volunteers move to 3-3 in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and are 10-6 overall. The Knights move to 4-6 in the league and 12-10 overall.

Logan scored two runs in the first inning, one in the second and three in the sixth to secure the second-game victory. Sophomore Sarah DaRosa of Carterville was the winning pitcher. She allowed four runs on seven hits in her seven innings of work and withstood a three-run uprising in the seventh inning. DaRosa also struck out two and walked one.

Kirsten Price added two hits and a run scored for the offense. Taylor Price and Kortney Crawford had one hit apiece.

In the first game, the Vols plated two runs in the first and three in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as Olney squeaked out the win.

Johnson was pitcher of record for Logan. The freshman surrendered seven runs on 10 hits. She also struggled with her command of the strike zone, walking six, while striking out only four.

Taylor Price paced the offense in this one with two hits, including a triple, two runs scored and three runs batted in. Hirsch collected two more hits for a total of five on the day. She also scored two runs. Crawford accounted for one hit.

“The overall effort was very good today, especially the second game. It was good to finally get a road win,” said Vols assistant coach Angie Jilek. “Hirsch killed the ball and Ana Duda’s defense in centerfield was simply phenomenal. She made a couple of racing catches, tracking down balls hit to the gap and to the fence.”

Logan is scheduled to host a doubleheader with Lincoln Trail College of Robinson today beginning at noon.