St. Anthony’s only other two hits came in the seventh. Sydney Kibler doubled and Coffin singled.
The Lady Pioneers had two good scoring chances in the game. They put two runners on base in the fourth, but failed to score. Then in the sixth, they had runners on second and third with no outs. St. Anthony catcher Maddie Kibler picked off the runner at third and the next two batters were retired.
Normal U-High got a lead-off single in the seventh, but Wernsing got the next three batters out to secure the win, earn the save and clinch a berth in the Decatur Super Sectional.
The Kibler-Wernsing pitching duo has proven successful all year long for the Lady Bulldogs. Saturday was no exception. Kibler went the first five innings, giving up only one hit. She walked three and struck out five. After a lead-off walk in the sixth, Wernsing was brought on in relief. She allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out one in her two innings of work.
Maggie Stadler turned in a strong pitching performance for the Lady Pioneers. She gave up three hits and one unearned run. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out 11 in her seven-inning stint.
The Lady Bulldogs, winners of 17 of their last 18 games, improved to 29-3 on the season. They will now face Auburn in the Decatur Super Sectional. Auburn (25-7) defeated Stanford (Olympia), 4-3, to capture the Williamsville Sectional.
The super sectional contest will be played at the Workman Family Softball Field on the Millikin University campus. Game time is 11 a.m. Monday.