JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Freshman ace Grace Moll went the distance, allowing just three hits, and got a big hit herself on Saturday, shutting out Pana, 6-0.
The Rams broke open a 0-0- game in the bottom of the 4th when five consecutive batters hit shots of Pana ace Megan DeWerff. Hannah Dudley singled, Shannon Boone singled and Kaylee Agney reached on error on the left fielder, driving in the first run of the game.
Moll then grooved a ball over the left fielder's head and the to wall, for a 2-run double. Freshman catcher Cinnae Martin then grooved a ball to left and drove Moll home for a 4-0 lead.
The Rams picked up two more runs in the 5th, when Whitney Fox bunted her way on and Shannon Boone drew a walk with two outs. Agney then reached again on a fly ball error. Moll followed with another hit to left, 6-0.
In the Ram 6th, they were on the verge of another 10-run win, but just missed. The bases were loaded with two outs when slugger Shannon Boone just missed rocking a ball deep. She popped it up in the air about 50 feet and the center fielder was able to come in make the catch.
The Rams (2-0), after starting out with a 2-game home stand, now go on the road for five straight games and will not play at home again for two weeks. They start the road trip at Arcola on Monday and then play at Cerro Gordo on Thursday.
Shelbyville 6, Pana 0
Pana 000 000 0--0-3-3
Shelby 000 420 x--6-7-2
Ram stats: Taylor Rhodes 0-for-3, BB; Hannah Dudley 2-for-3, HBP, run; Shannon Boone 1-for-3, BB, 2 runs; Kaylee Agney 0-for-3, 2 OBE, run, 2 RBIs; Grace Moll 2-for-3, 2B, run, 3 RBIs; Cinnae Martin 1-for-3, 2B, RBI; Katelyn Coleman 0-for-3; Ashley Bitting 0-for-1; Ranae Julius 0-for-2; Whitney Fox 1-for-2, BB, run. Pitching (W) Moll (2-0) 7 IP, 0 runs, 3 hits, B, 14 Ks. Pitches to strike 101-68.
Pana stats: Jessica Etter 0-for-3; Shandra Barror 1-for-2, BB; Megan DeWerff 1-for-3, OBE; Miles 0-for-2, sac; Michelle Day 1-for-3, FC, 2B; Chrissy DeClerck 0-for-3; Katie Leduc 0-for-3; Emily McLeod 0-for-3; Taylor Beyers 0-for-2. Pitching (L) DeWerff 6 IP, 6 runs (5 ER), 7 hits, 3 BB, 11 Ks. Pitches to strikes 118-68.
*Watch for web updates for the complete story, stats, and photos.
