Cobden wins state softball title

For the weak at heart, the Cobden High School softball team's Class 1A championship game at the state tournament at East Peoria might have been one to miss.

The Appleknockers scored in the bottom of the 19th inning to eke out a 1-0 win over Alexis United for the title Saturday, June 6.

Cobden defeated Alexis United for the second consecutive year in the Class 1A championship game.

"It was a long day," Cobden coach Nathan Emrick said. "We had a half hour delay to start the game because of rain and then we played a 3 1/2 hour game."

The game was a record in the state softball tournament series, shattering the old mark of 12 innings.

Kayla Quertermous, who had the game-winning hit in the Trico sectional, had an RBI double to  score the winning run.

"We knew it was just a matter of  time until we scored," Emrick said. "We talked about that all year about being patient. She was finally able to square one up and hit it into the gap."

The winning hit scored DaCota Knop, who was on base with a two-out walk. Knop advanced to second base on a stolen base.

The Appleknockers had been held in check the entire game by standout sophomore hurler Katie Bertelsen. She scattered 7 hits and had a record 34 strikeouts and 3 walks in 18 1/3 innings.

"She's pretty darned good," Emrick said. "She was amazing."

Bertelsen had set the IHSA record the previous day with 28 strikeouts. She had a two-day pitching record of giving up one earned run, to go with three walks and 62 strikeouts.

The Cobden pitching duo of DaCota Knop and Taylor Orsburn did a good job as well, combining to scatter 12 hits.

Knop, who pitched 11 1/3 innings gave up 8 hits to go with 11 strikeouts.

In the final 7 2/3  innings, Orsburn gave up 4 hits to go with 11 strikeouts. Neither pitcher gave up a walk.

"I have a lot of confidence in our pitchers," Emrick said. "They throw really well."

Knop left the game in the 12th inning with Alexis United runners on second and third base with one out.

Orsburn put out the fire with a fly out to right field and an unassisted play at first base.

The Appleknockers had scoring opportunies in the 13th and 17 innings.

In the 13th inning, Cobden loaded the bases with Quertermous and Orsburn leading the way with a base hit apiece with one out. Bertelsen struck out the next two Appleknocker batters to end the threat.

In the 17th inning, Cobden's Ana Duda had a one-out triple. After a walk to Orsburn, a strikeout and another hit by Quertermous, the Appleknockers had the bases loaded. A fly out to center field ended the threat.

Quertermous was 4-for-8 with a double and game-winning RBI to lead Cobden at the plate. Orsburn was 2-for-7.  Duda was 1-for-8 with a triple.

Bertelsen was the biggest hitting threat for the Red Storm going 5-for-7.

Cobden closed out its season with a 32-4 record. Alexis  United finished 30-5.

Cobden 5, Dupo 1: After Dupo opened the game with a run in the 1st inning, the Appleknockers bounced back in their half of the inning to go ahead for keeps in the first-round game Friday, June 5.

Jenna Lehr opened the 1st inning with a base hit for Cobden. Duda followed by reaching base on error.

With two outs, Lindsey Morrison had a two-run single for a 2-1 Appleknocker lead.

In the 5th inning, Cobden tacked on three more insurance runs.

Duda and Orsburn had back-to-back singles to open the frame. Knop followed by loading the bases with a single. Morrison drove two runs in with a single.

Quertermous, who was on base with an error, advanced to second and Knop scored to close out the scoring. Two ground outs and a strikeout ended the threat.

Morrison was 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs to lead the Appleknockers. Knop was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Orsburn was 2-for-4. Taylor Wilkins and Duda were each 1-for-3. Lehr was 1-for-4.

Orsburn was the winning pitcher, scattering 4 hits to go with 9 strikeouts and no walks.

Dupo finished its season with a 24-7 record.

The lone seniors on Cobden's state championship squad were Jenna Lehr and Lindsey Morrison.

"We have a shot (again next year) if we work hard and catch a break," Emrick said.

"We've got roles to fill. But we've got the opportunity. But we thought we had a target on our back this year."

Emrick is in his first year as head coach of the Appleknockers. Josh Franklin was Cobden's head coach coach last season.

Cobden wins state softball title



Cobden wins state softball title