Blackburn-Kelly Dominates as St. Joseph-Ogden Clinches Regional Softball Title with Victory Over Tolono Unity

By Fred Kroner

Timera Backburn-Kelly fired a two-hitter on Saturday (May 18) as the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team topped visiting Tolono Unity, 5-1, in a Class 2A regional championship softball game at Randy Wolken Field.

Unity scored its run against Blackburn-Kelly in the opening inning, but left the bases loaded in the first. Blackburn-Kelly (14-1) struck out nine batters and walked three.

In her last 28 innings, she has allowed just one earned run.

The Spartans tied the game in the third inning on Addy Martinie’s sacrifice fly and took a 2-1 lead later in the inning on Halle Brazelton’s single into left field.

Grace Osterbur and Ellie Ward also drove in runs. Addison Frick and Ward tallied runs.

Emma McKinney had two of the SJ-O hits. Teammates with one hit apiece were Frick, Osterbur, Brazelton, Ellie Ward, Chayse Palmer and Choe Harper.

SJ-O has won 37 regional softball titles since the program was formed, but last captured one in 2019.

The Spartans (30-6) have won 14 games in a row. SJ-O will take on Effingham St. Anthony (25-3) in a sectional semifinal game on Tuesday (May 21) at 5 p.m. in Monticello.

That winner will face the winner of a semifinal game on Wednesday (May 22) between Marshall and Normal U-High.