Wednesday's prep baseball and softball action delivered a flurry of standout performances, headlined by a five-hit outburst that powered Watseka to victory.
Baseball Highlights
Watseka's Holohan stole the show with a five-hit day, including two doubles, as the Purple Riders (10-9) edged past host Westville (20-12) in nonconference play. Gingerick was sharp on the mound, striking out six over 4⅔ innings. Westville countered with three hits—including a double—while adding two singles and a double of his own.
In Vermilion Valley Conference action, a home run, double, and single led the Trojans (13-5) past the Bearcats (8-20). Roberts was dominant, fanning 17 batters in a complete-game one-hitter. The Bearcats' lone hit was a single.
The Maroons (22-6) flexed their muscle in Big 12 Conference play, with a home run and two singles leading the charge. Three teammates added singles, while two others chipped in two hits apiece. Pipkins earned the win, allowing eight hits and striking out nine over six innings.
The Timberwolves (5-11) picked up a much-needed nonconference win against the Tigers (5-21), with their pitcher earning the decision on the mound.
Despite three hits from one player and two from another, the Knights (18-7) fell to the Bulldogs (21-6) in nonconference action.
The Sages (28-2) continued their dominant run, toppling the visiting Maroons (16-12) in nonconference play. Three hits from one player and two apiece from three others fueled the offense, while Clinton added a double in the loss.
In VVC home action, the Comets (9-13) got three hits from one player and two each from two others, backing Wilson's five innings of four-strikeout work. The Titans (8-11) were paced by an RBI triple.
The Warriors (15-12) erupted for 12 hits in a nonconference road win, scoring seven runs in the first inning to set the tone. Three players each collected two hits, while Pettry struck out six over six innings. The Storm (11-9) managed just two hits in the loss.
The Knights (6-16) dropped a nonconference game to the Panthers, despite two hits apiece from three players.
Softball Highlights
The Panthers (32-0) wrapped up the Heart of Illinois Conference title in style, powered by a home run and single from one player, who drove in three runs. The pitcher earned her 21st win, allowing four hits and striking out two. Two doubles from another player and a double and triple from a third, who drove in four runs, sealed the victory.
The Sages (21-9) suffered a nonconference home loss despite three innings of three-strikeout pitching, a triple, and doubles from two other players.
The Sabers (9-14) got two hits apiece from four players to top the host Hawks (0-17) in nonconference play, with a three-hit effort leading the way for Heritage.
The Warriors (14-9) closed the night with a nonconference win, thanks to two doubles from one player as part of a five-hit effort. Two others added three hits each, backing six innings of 11-strikeout pitching.