Class 4A Pekin Sectional semifinal: Belleville East 7, Edwardsville 1
Belleville East celebrates a win after a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Olivia Hemmerle (3) struck out 12 and scattered four hits Tuesday in Bellville East’s 7-1 victory against Edwardsville in a Class 4A Pekin Sectional semifinal softball game at Belleville West High School.
Edwardsville's Grace Oertle (23) throws the ball across the diamond for an out during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East celebrates an out during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Edwardsville's Jilian Hawkes (14) fields a groundball during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Edwardsville's Grace Oertle (23) celebrates a strikeout by the pitcher during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Edwardsville's Sophie Antonini (19) takes a pitch low during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East's Emma Fetters (17) tags a runner out at third base during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East's Maddie Mueller (12) takes a pitch high during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East's Emma Fetters (17) celebrates a run during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
The Belleville East coaches and players gather for a conference during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Edwardsville's Jilian Hawkes (14) leaps to try and make a catch during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Cicadas perch on the netting during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East's Olivia Hemmerle (3) throws a pitch during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East's Olivia Hemmerle (3) celebrates scoring a run during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Edwardsville's RIley Nelson (22) throws a pitch during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Edwardsville's RIley Nelson (22) throws a pitch during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
Belleville East's Emma Fetters (17) takes a swing during a Class 4A sectional semifinal softball game between Edwardsville and Belleville East, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to the Post-Dispatch.
"I'm just so proud of them, I think they were just so ready to go," East softball coach Natalie Peters said.