Darren Kinnard
Section618.com
HARRISBURG — Kerrigan Payne tossed a three-hitter while Abby Stacey and Joey Quinn combined to drive in five runs as Harrisburg handed Murphysboro its first SIRR Ohio loss, 5-1 the final.
Ellee Doerr singled home Sarah Cook in the top of the first to give the Red Devils a 1-0 lead, but Payne settled in from there. The senior allowed only one hit to the high-powered Red Devils’ offense the rest of the way, striking out seven on the day.
Harrisburg tied the game in the bottom of the first as Stacey doubled in Harley McCabe, who was courtesy running for Payne. The Lady Bulldogs then took the lead in the bottom of the fourth on Quinn’s RBI single scoring McCabe.
Murphysboro loaded the bases in the top of the fifth, but Payne escaped the jam by striking out Doerr to end the inning.
The Lady Bulldogs then added three insurance tallies in the bottom of the fifth. Stacey just missed a grand slam and settled for a two-run single. Quinn followed with a sacrifice fly for the final run of the day.
Harrisburg improves to 15-2 (3-1), while Murphysboro falls to 10-4 (4-1).