Wombles scores winning run, strikes out 10 and tosses one-hitter for Pleasant Hill in victory over Liberty

PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — Ava Wombles scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie and give Pleasant Hill a 2-1 victory over Liberty in high school girls softball action.

Lyla Higgins walked and Wombles singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Makenna Winchell hit a ground ball to short that forced out Higgins at third, and Kaitlyn Borrowman struck out swinging for the second out. Ada Little walked to load the bases, and Wombles scored on the wild pitch from Liberty pitcher Chandler John.

Wombles retired the last nine batters she faced. In the sixth and seventh innings, she struck out three Liberty batters and induced popups from three others.

Pleasant Hill improved to 11-5, snapping a two-game losing streak. Liberty’s record fell to 17-5.

Wombles threw a one-hitter, giving up a single to Anna Dietrich to lead off the fourth. A misplayed bunt and a wild pitch allowed Dietrich to score the Eagles’ only run of the game. Wombles recorded 10 strikeouts.

Pleasant Hill scored the only other run of the game in the first inning. Wombles singled, stole second, moved to third on Winchell’s groundout and scored on Borrowman’s groundball to first.