Van Buren County takes out Pekin

KEOSAUQUA — It was all Van Buren County in Wednesday night’s Class 2A Region 7 semifinal. The Warriors knocked off Pekin 10-0 in a five-inning battle of Union area teams.

Van Buren County didn’t waste much time scoring. After a shut out first inning, the Warriors put up six runs in the second inning to take a big lead early.

The Warriors would score in every at bat after their scoreless first. Van Buren County scored one in the third, two in the fourth and one more in the fifth to end the game two frames early via the 10-run mercy rule.

Alli Campbell threw a gem in the pitcher’s circle. Campbell gave up just two hits and no walks in a dominant performance. She struck out three Panther batters on the day.

Campbell was also excellent at the plate. She finished the night 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Ashlynn Huff collected two hits and two RBIs. McKenna Caviness and DIvy Davidson both knocked in two runs.

The Warriors had five extra-base hits on the day. Annabelle Cormier, Kylee Roen and Lexee Fritz all had doubles. Cormier and Callie Kracht both had one RBI.

Pekin’s Brooke Miller had both of the Panthers’ two hits.

Van Buren County (12-11) moves on to play at No. 8 Louisa-Muscatine (23-8) in the Class 2A Region 7 semifinals on Friday night. The winner of that will play either No. 15 Cardinal (12-12) or Durant (15-18) on Monday.