By Fred Kroner
Villa Grove’s softball team started the week with back-to-back one-run losses.
On Monday (March 21), the Blue Devils dropped a 9-8 decision at home to Tuscola.
VG scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to narrow the gap.
Alex Brown and Kayln Cordes each socked home runs for VG. Brown drove in four runs. Cordes had two RBI.
Kaylee Arbuckle, Brown, Maci Clodfelder and Logan Lillard all delivered two hits. Brown also drilled a double.
Brown pitched five innings in relief of Lillard, who took the loss. Brown allowed two hits and struck out four. Lillard had one strikeout in two innings.
On Wednesday (March 23), Villa Grove was shut out at Urbana, 1-0, in a pitcher’s duel.
Brown yielded three singles and one walk in six innings. She struck out nine and did not allow an earned run.
Urbana counterpart Sophia Deck fired a no-hitter and recorded 18 strikeouts. Two Blue Devils reached on errors, preventing Deck from throwing a perfect game. She walked no one.
Villa Grove (2-2) returns to action on Monday (March 28) at home against Salt Fork.
