Unity's fifth inning rally crushes Mahomet-Seymour in softball opener

MAHOMET - Up 7-5 on the scoreboard at the top of the fifth inning, the Unity softball team loaded their side of the scoreboard with 11 runs before host Mahomet-Seymour could finally put a stop to the carnage from last season's Class A Sweet Sixteen team. Three Bulldog fly balls later, the Rockets celebrated their first win of the season with an 18-5 victory.

Lindy Bates and Ruby Tarr tallied three hits each. Bates smacked a two-run homer to center field in the fourth inning and pounded a two-run double in the fifth inning. She finished the game with five RBIs in the road opener. Tarr did one better, collecting six RBIs on three hits and crossing the plate just once for the Rockets.

Bates pitched a complete game to earn the win. She gave up five runs on eight hits and struck out three.

Unity's bats were smoking, racking up 16 hits and 16 RBI. Jenna Adkins, Sophia Beckett, Taylor Drennan, and McKayla Schendel had two hits each, combining for three RBIs.

Ava Henderson led the Bulldogs with two hits and three RBIs. Madeleine Cortez was credited with two RBIs and scored one run for her team.

Unity plays the first home game on Thursday at 4:30 pm at the school's sports complex against Normal Community.

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