Unity softball keeps streak alive with regional title
May 23—TOLONO — Unity ran its winning streak to 20 with Thursday's Class 2A regional championship win against Tri-Valley. Danika Eisenmenger got through a 1-2-3 top of the first with Reese Frye providing a nifty play on a hard-hit ball for the third out, and then the Rockets spotted their starter three runs in the bottom half of the inning. A commanding lead Unity only built on for a run-shortened, five-inning, 10-0 victory against the Vikings.
"We always talk about hitting somebody in the mouth, and that was a good way to start the game," Unity coach Matt Reed told The News-Gazette early Friday afternoon before heading to Teutopolis to scout the Rockets' next opponent. A 2-1 victory for Robinson against the Wooden Shoes sets up a sectional semifinal showdown with Unity (27-7) on Wednesday in Monticello "Luckily for us, we have girls here who want to continue on what's happened in Unity softball," Reed continued. "They care about it.
There's a great culture. The girls really do root for each other, and it shows. They have a lot of fun together.
" Most of this season qualifies as fun. Unity started the season 1-4 following a tough spring trip to Tennessee and four losses in the Volunteer State before winning 26 of its last 29 games. The only other losses were to Rochester, Carterville and Champaign Central.
The latter two by a single run apiece. Unity has found different ways to win throughout its streak. Some were like Thursday's blowout victory against Tri-Valley, which saw Grace Bickers homer twice and Kenley Harris also go deep in support of Eisenmenger's complete-game shutout.