Raiders capitalize on scoring opportunities in fifth inning to capture WCC championship

QUINCY — A pitchers’ duel with the West Central Conference softball championship on the line tilted in Quincy Notre Dame’s favor in the fifth inning Wednesday.

The first five batters in the bottom of the frame reached base safely, leading to a three-run outburst that carried the Raiders to a 4-0 victory over Central at the Backyard.

Caitlin Bunte led off with a single, and Laela Hernandez-Jones followed with a sacrifice bunt in which courtesy runner Paige Blivans was safe on the force attempt at second base. Eryn Cornwell’s double scored Blivans, and Abbey Schreacke was intentionally walked to load the bases.

A walk to Brooke Boden forced in one run, and one out later, a walk to Lindsey Fischer forced in anoither.

QND (21-6) added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Hernandez-Jones, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, scored on a throwing error.

Bunte held Central’s offense in check over the first six innings as the freshman left-hander allowed one hit while striking out three and walking one. Cornwell pitched the seventh, surrendering two hits but getting a flyout with two runners in scoring position to end the game.

Central’s Natalie Eicken allowed just five hits, giving up three earned runs while striking out one and walking six. Cornwell had two of QND’s five hits.

The Panthers (19-8) have won 12 of their 14 games with their only losses coming to a pair of 20-win teams, setting themselves up to be a contender in the Class 1A sectional.