May 15, 2016 - The Joaquin Lady Rams varsity softball team has moved to the Regional Semifinal round after defeating the Elkhart Slocum Lady Mustangs in two straight games of a best-of three game Region III Quarterfinal round playoff.
Joaquin beat the Mustangs in Game 1 by a 9-3 score, on Thursday, by utilizing a 12-5 hit advantage. The Lady Rams got a complete seven inning pitching performance from Lexi Hutchins, who struck out five batters.They were led offensively by Katherine Patrick who went 3-3 and had a RBI.
On Friday in Game 2, Joaquin beat Elkhart by a score of 8-4. This eliminated Slocum in the best-of-three game format.
Slocum gained a 1-0 lead when Taylor Ives scored on a throwing error after reaching base on a single.
The Lady Rams tied the game at 1-1, in the top of the third inning, with a score by Katherine Patrick.
Slocum reclaimed the lead at 2-1, in the bottom of the third inning, with an RBI double by Camryn Vickers.
Kristen Harvey tied the game at 2-2 when she scored in the fifth inning on a long sacrifice fly ball hit by Hannah Bonner. The Lady Rams exploded during a rally in the sixth inning which include four hits, two walks, and five runs scored. Joaquin added a score by Randi Goates in the top of the seventh inning and took a 8-2 advantage into the final half of the last inning.
Caitlyn Hogan and Jessi Ives scored to pull the Lady Mustangs to within 8-4. The Lady Rams tightened up defensively and this would prove to be the final score.
Joaquin will next face the Harleton Lady Wildcats next week with the time and place to be announced at the beginning of the school week.
