CLINTON — This season, Clinton High School is hosting the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) class 3A Regional Tournament.  Play began on Tuesday, May 23, with the Rochester Lady Rockets hosting the Springfield Lanphier Lady Lions.  

The Lady Rockets have had a very successful year in which they have previously downed the Lady Lions.  This outing saw Lanphier take an early lead in the first only to see it wiped out by Rochester.  Then in the second inning the Lady Lions tied the game at 3 only to see that gain disappear in the bottom of the inning when the Lady Rockets plated six more runs to take the lead for good at 9-3.  The Lady Rockets added six more in the third inning and one more in the fourth to round out their scoring at 19 runs.  Lanphier was able to add one more run in the fifth, but it was not enough to stave off the loss.  The Lady Lions won 19-4 and will move on to the regional championship game at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 27.

And, who will they face in the championship?  The winner of the second semifinal game played on Wednesday, May 24.  That game was played between the Jacksonville Lady Crimsons and our own hometown Lady Maroons.  

Unfortunately for Jacksonville, the Lady Maroons began taking control of the game with 6 runs in the first inning and 8 in the second.  That was all that would be needed since there were no other runs scored in the game.  The Lady Crimsons had several players in scoring position, but could produce no runs.  

Olivia Sanders pitched the entire game for the Lady Maroons throwing 10 strikeouts while facing only 19 batters.  She averaged two strikeouts an inning.  With the 14-0 win, the Lady Maroons will be playing on Saturday against the Rochester Lady Rockets.  

Game time is at 11 a.m. at Clinton High School.  Admission is $5 (IHSA rules).