Liberty topples Payson Seymour on both baseball, softball diamonds

PAYSON, Ill. — For one night at least, Liberty owns Adams County bragging rights.

The Liberty baseball and softball teams swept matchups with Payson Seymour on Monday as the baseball team picked up four hits and two RBIs from the bottom three batters in the order to secure a 6-0 victory, while the softball team scored twice in the sixth inning to improve to 3-0 with a 5-4 victory.

On the baseball diamond, Liberty’s Jackson Sims and Gavin Edgar combined on the shutout. Sims worked the first five innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Edgar allowed one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over two innings of relief.

They benefited from a four-run fifth inning that turned a two-run lead into a comfortable cushion.

The Eagles’ Evan Sims led off the fifth with a single before courtesy runner Charlie Curry stole second and scored on Reed Sparrow’s single. Jack Sparrow doubled to center field to put two runners in scoring position. After Jackson Sims was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Edgar drove a run home with a sacrifice fly. 

Another run scored on an error after Jack Sparrow stole third base, and the last run of the inning scored on a sacrifice bunt.

Layne Bent went 2 for 3 with an RBI for Liberty, while Dylan Hocking had an RBI single and Calen Koch picked up a hit. Brody Dieker and Nolan Sparks each doubled for Payson.

On the softball diamond, the Eagles and Indians were tied at 3 heading to the sixth inning when Liberty’s Claire Obert singled with one out and took second base on Camdyn Ormond’s bunt single. Andi Mixer followed with a two-run double to left field for the 5-3 advantage.

Payson rallied in the bottom of the inning. Abby Hagerbaumer led off with a triple to center field, but pinch-runner Ava Steffen was held at third as Madilyn O’Dear reached on an infield error. O’Dear stole second before Teagan Mass struck out, and Steffen scored moments later when Josie Fesler reached on an infield error.

Kaitlynn Hedberg, who came on to run for O’Dear, went to third on the error, but was stranded there as a pair of flyouts ended the threat.

Liberty pitcher Chandler John retired Payson in order in the seventh. John allowed three earned runs, while striking out six and walking one to earn the victory. Obert went 2 for 3 and Anna Dietrich tripled. Ella Archer and Gracie Klitz each had two hits for Payson.