Around the area: Mustangs rally, Panthers’ Miller homers, Wolves’ Lowe tosses no-hitter

KAHOKA, Mo. — Cody Shaffer refused to give in, much like the rest of his Mendon Unity baseball teammates.

Shaffer fouled off four consecutive pitches with two outs in the sixth inning before hitting a game-tying three-run home run. The Mustangs completed their comeback from a six-run deficit in the seventh when pinch-runner Johnathan Lucie scored as Miles Moulton reached on an error, giving them a 7-6 victory over Clark County on Thursday.

Sawyer Allen retired the Indians in order in the bottom of the seventh, striking out the final two batters he faced. Allen worked four scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory, striking out eight and allowing just one hit. The top five batters in Unity’s lineup each had one hit.

Blue Devils fall in Tournament of Champions opener

BETTENDORF, Iowa — The Quincy High School girls soccer team lost to Wheaton North 4-2 in Thursday’s opening game of the 18th annual Tournament of Champions. Taylor Routh and Bri Lannerd each scored for the Blue Devils (9-3-1), while Rian Moore and Routh each had an assist.

Miller goes deep, Panthers defeat Titans

HAMILTON, Ill. — Mason Miller went 3 for 4 with a two-run home run as the Camp Point Central baseball team defeated West Hancock 7-2 in a West Central Conference game. Miller’s second-inning home run gave the Panthers (7-11) their five-run lead that he and Conner Griffin helped preserve on the mound. Griffin pitched the final four innings, struck out eight batters and surrendered just one hit.

Chargers hold off late Bombers rally

CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Macomb baseball team got the potential go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the seventh, but Illini West pitcher Wesley Robertson struck out Jack Beal to seal a 7-6 Chargers victory. Blaine Eddington singled to drive in a run and cut the Chargers (17-3) lead to two in the top of the seventh. The next batter, Nick Elbe, hit a sacrifice fly to make it 7-6 before Beal struck out. Back-to-back RBI singles by Shawn Watkins Jr. and Stephen Sparks gave the Chargers a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth.

Wolves’ Lowe tosses second no-hitter of week

CONCORD, Ill. — McKinley Lowe threw her second no-hitter in the last four days as the Pleasant Hill softball team defeated Triopia 11-0 in five innings on Thursday. Lowe also contributed an RBI triple as part of a seven-run second inning. Jade Peebles went 3 for 3 for the Wolves (14-2), while Maddison Daniels two hits and drove in three runs.

Bunte homers, Raiders improve to 14-1

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Caitlin Bunte hit her first home run of the season, and the Quincy Notre Dame softball team cranked out 16 hits in a 9-4 victory over Beardstown. The Raiders (14-1) scored in six of seven innings, including two runs in each of the first three innings to take a 6-2 lead. Bunte’s home run leading off the top of the fourth extended the Raiders lead to 7-2. Bunte, Marah Becks, and Brooke Boden each went 3 for 4. Boden and Bunte each drove in two runs.

Blue Devils score eight in seventh inning

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy softball team brought 11 batters to the plate and scored eight runs in the top of the seventh to defeat Galesburg 19-10 in a Western Big 6 Conference game. The first eight batters reached base and scored for the Blue Devils in that inning. Paige Kurfman hit a three-run home run in that inning. The Blue Devils (9-6) have scored 45 runs in their last two games.

Indians beat Suns for second time this week

PAYSON, Ill. — The Payson Seymour softball team defeated Southeastern 10-7, their second win in four days over the Suns. All nine starters reached base for the Indians (12-12). Seven of their 14 hits went for extra bases. Ella Archer went 4 for 4.

Chargers score in double digits for third straight game, defeat Bombers

MACOMB, Ill. — The Illini West softball team used a six-run fifth inning to pull away from Macomb and win 10-3, the Chargers’ third consecutive win. Three walks, an error, two fielder’s choices, and two singles led to six Chargers (13-5) runs in the top of the fifth, which began with the score tied at 3.