Unity ends St. Joseph’s softball season in Regional Championship game

By Fred Kroner

A single by leadoff batter Vivian Smith was the lone hit for St. Joseph in the IESA Class 2A regional championship game against unbeaten Tolono Unity.

Unity (15-0) posted an 8-0 victory over the Panthers on Saturday (Sept.16).

Lyla Patton was the starting pitcher and struck out two batters in 2 1/3 innings. Reliever Brooklyn Stevens worked the final 2 2/3 innings.

The St. Joseph pitchers walked just one batter.

The Panthers conclude the year with an overall record of 16-5.

The team’s top hitters were Smith (.419), Ashlee Jannusch (.411), Stevens (.410) and Braelyn Ikemire (.324).

Mia Miller (12) and Avery Haley (11) were the leaders in stolen bases. Stevens had the most RBI (30) and Jannusch scored the most runs (27).

Patton (10-3) and Stevens (6-2) were the leaders in pitching wins. Patton struck out 96 batters in 62 2/3 innings. Stevens fanned 59 hitters in 58 innings.