St. Joseph Softball reaches Class 2A IESA regional championship game, falls to Westville

By Fred Kroner
fred@mahometnews.com

The Panthers reached the Class 2A IESA regional championship game by stealing 10 bases in a 10-5 semifinal conquest of Hoopeston Area.

A six-run sixth inning proved to be the difference for St. Joseph.

Timera Blackburn-Kelly pitched a complete game and earned the victory. She also stole four bases.

Teammates with at least two hits were Thea Smith and Chase Palmer.

In the championship game on Saturday (Sept. 26), Westville dealt the Panthers an 11-1 loss.

“We were basically a young, inexperienced team and at times throughout the season, played really well and at other times played like a young team,” coach Larry Sparks said. “I told the girls I was proud of them for the way they handled this very different season.

“Nobody involved in middle school fall sports thought we’d ever get through the entire season, and yet we did. Wasn’t easy playing with masks and social distancing, but we managed to pull it off. Hopefully, that makes things easier for spring.”

St. Joseph ends with a 6-6 record.