North America, Peoria and Central Illinois, Commercial and Sports Photographer
East Peoria (21-3, 14-0) scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat the Morton Potters 3-2 Thursday evening at Eastside Centre. Bridget Bankes knocked in Sarah Finck and Taylor Kellum for the walk off victory on senior night for the lady Red Raiders. Finck the junior pitcher for East Peoria tossed a two-hitter and struck out 15 to finish the Mid-Illini Conference unbeaten.
-Bob
Mid-Illini Conference co-leader East Peoria (8-1, 3-0) used a two-RBI single from Bridget Bankes as a part of a five-run third in its 7-0 win over the visiting Canton Little Giants (3-6, 0-3). The Red Raiders were led by juniors Sarah Finck (2-for-3, triple; seven strikeouts) and Kali George combined on the three-hitter for East Peoria.
-Bob
After losing to top rated East Peoria (32-3) twice during their Mid-Illini conference season Limestone (20-16) stunned the lady Red Raiders, 2-0 in the IHSA Class 3A Morton regional Tuesday afternoon. The Rockets junior pitcher Alissa Otto tossed a one-hitter — a single to lead-off the game — with four strikeouts and three walks. Limestone got on the board in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a two-out, RBI triple from Ryelee Foiles. The junior took a 1-2 pitch to right field, scoring Kelly Arnett. The Rockets added a run in the fifth after chasing starter Alex Smith (11 strikeouts, one walk, three hits). East Peoria left six runners on base including leaving the bases loaded in the first inning.
-Bob
Backed by shut-out pitching by super sophomore Sarah Finck and timely hitting led East Peoria (23-2, 10-1) to a 6-0 win against the Limestone Rockets in Bartonville, IL. Finck threw a four-hitter and struck out 11 Rocket hitters. Senior Alex Smith went 3-for-4 with an RBI and junior Bridget Bankes added two RBI’s for the Red Raiders.
-Bob
The #1 ranked East Peoria Red Raiders (16-1, 6-0) continued there stellar season downing Pekin High School (5-6, 1-5) 9-1 in Mid-Illini prep softball Thursday afternoon. The Raiders were led by senior pitcher Alex Smith who tossed a 14-strikeout, two-hitter against the lady Dragons. East Peoria banged out 12 hits against two Pekin pitchers. Savanna Tapper, Sarah Finck, and Nicole Montgomery banged out two hits each, and the Red Raiders had seven extra base hits.
-Bob
