CLINTON — After two weekends away at tournaments, the Clinton Softball Invitational got started early (9:30 a.m.) Saturday morning, April 22, in what seemed like a homerun derby.  

The teams involved were Bloomington Central Catholic Saints, Clinton Maroons, Hoopeston Cornjerkers, Mt. Pulaski Hilltoppers, Romeoville Spartans, and the St. Joseph/Ogden Spartans.  As for the home run derby, in the first two games of the day there were a total of 8 home runs, one of which was hit out of the east diamond and onto the middle diamonds playing field, clearing two fences and stopping play on the middle field.  

Clinton’s first opponent of the day was Mt. Pulaski, who is just getting their softball program started.  The Lady Maroons made fast work of the first game against Mt. Pulaski, winning in four innings 18-0.  

This game was pitched by Mackenzie Armstrong and there were home runs by Tori Wilson and Rodjahnae Dupont-Barlow.  Next up for the Lady Maroons was Hoopeston.  This was another fairly easy game for Clinton, as Olivia Sanders and the Lady Maroon defense held the Lady “Jerkers” scoreless for five innings.  

Clinton scored 3 in the third inning, one in the fourth, 4 in the fifth, and one in the sixth.  Hoopeston’s only run came in the top of the sixth.  With two wins under their belt, the Lady Maroons were set to play their toughest opponent of the day, the Romeoville Spartans, who were also 2-0 for the day.  

For the Lady Maroons, this championship game was a shocker.  After doing well early on, Clinton could not buy a hit or a run.  Romeoville on the other hand was rolling over everyone they faced.  In this game they scored 4 runs in the second inning, seven in the third inning, and one each in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 13-0 championship win.  

For the Lady Maroons, Olivia Sanders pitched 5 innings throwing 27 first pitch strikes, but only posting 4 strikeouts.  Tori Wilson and Raymi Dial had the only hits for Clinton.