The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Belles fought long and hard Monday, to become Illinois Class A Macomb Regional winners.
In a game that went 26 innings and was 5 1/4 hours long the Belles overcame Macomb 1-0.
The game was only two away from the record of 28 innings.
This is the first time the Macomb Bombers have lost the Regionals in six years.
Southern's Mindy Morrison, throwing 334 pitches and Macomb's Leigh Thoman, throwing 303 pitches, both lasted the entire game. Vicki Tapscott went the distance as catcher for Southern.
Tapscott led off the 26th inning with a base hit. Ciara Robinson, running for Vicki, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rachael Manning. One out later Kim Plath hit a single to left field bringing in the scoring run.
Assistant Coach Shelly Morrison said, " Everyone stayed focused and kept doing their best." She said, "It was a roller coaster. They'd get on base and be really up, then the Bombers would turn a double play and they were right back down again."
Southern's record stands at 18-7 as the Belles advance to the Quincy Notre Dame Sectional, where they play Beardstown on Thursday, May 29, at 5 p.m.. They are hoping for a win but in a few less innings.