Russell Conwell for River Radio Sports Central
Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
CARBONDALE — Monday marked a massive day for Waltonville/Sesser-Valier softball. Not only did the Lady Spartans vanquish a nemesis, by doing so, they earned the program’s first trip to State.
Junior Elyssa Schoenbaechler tossed a 4-hit shutout and added a 3-run double in the second inning to help lead WSV to a 5-0 win over perennial state power Casey-Westfield in the SIU 1A Supersectional. The Lady Warriors had beaten the Lady Spartans three straight times, including earlier this season as well as in this very same game last season on their way to a third place finish at state.
WSV improves to 32-6 and will now face 27-11 Gardner-South Wilmington in the second 1A semifinal Thursday at 12:15 at the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria. Okawville (23-6) will take on Dakota (29-4) in the first semifinal at 10:00 Thursday.
