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Scoop Today
VOL. 91 • NO. 19
YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
468611
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025
Hornets outlast Pecatonica in road victory By Trenten Scheidegger CORRESPONDENT
The Scales Mound-River Ridge Hornets went on the road on Wednesday, April 23 as they traveled to take on the Pecatonica Indians. It was a fairly even matchup on paper with the Indians coming into the game with a record of 6-8, while the Hornets were 8-9. Both teams have had similar experiences to start their 2025 softball season. After slow starts, the Indians and Hornets began to settle in. After SM-RR opened the season with a record of 3-6, the Hornets rattled off four consecutive victories effectively saving their season. One of those losses came against Pecatonica in the season opener. Despite the Indians winning the season opener over the Hornets, they went on to drop their next five matchups. After the 1-5 start, Pecatonica went on to win four of their next five matchups, also turning around their season. Both teams got off to a quick start in the game. Defensive troubles have been prominent for both squads, and that showed in the very first inning. Despite not registering a hit, SM-RR jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. After Laiken Haas laid down a lead off bunt, an errant throw allowed her to reach third base. Eventual-
WARREN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY FACEBOOK PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
Warren Township Public Library
Children’s book author Allen McCaulley visits the Warren Township Public Library on April 23. McCaulley spoke to fifth grade students about what it is like being an author. In addition to sharing his presentation, McCaulley donated $3 from each book sale to the library. Postal Customer **ecrwss
Nick Raab 240 W. Main St., Suite A, Lena, IL • 815-369-4225 www.radersinsurance.com
ly, Anika Stadel drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly to right. Alyssa Wentz then drove in a run when she reached safely on an error by Pecatonica’s third baseman. The SM-RR defense had their own first inning mistakes. After an error by Wentz to lead off the inning, Haas quickly earned two strikeouts from the pitcher’s circle. Although Haas should have been out of the inning, the error and an ensuing walk kept the inning alive. Haas then allowed a two-run double, which allowed the Indians to tie the game 2-2. SM-RR jumped right back into the lead in the second. This time, they did it with their own bat power as a double by Anna Wachter and a two-run homer by Haas had them up 5-2. The lead was short-lived, however. Once again, the Indians managed to match their production in the bottom half. It was a nightmare inning for Haas as two walks, one hit, and a pair of wild pitches allowed Pecatonica to tie the game at 5-5. After two chaotic innings, both teams began to settle down. The game went scoreless over the next two innings as the Hornets entered the top of the fifth still tied 5-5. That’s when another extra-base hit
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