Sophomore Wavelynn Peart hit a double in the 6-1 regional semifinal win over Amboy. She was 2-4 at the plate and had one RBI for the Titans. [Photo by Marlie Lindstrom of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

The sixth-seeded Annawan-Wethersfield softball team beat the third-seeded Amboy Clippers 6-1 Wednesday in the semifinals of the 1A Amboy Regional. 

The Titans (8-21) will now play the No. 2 seed, Henry-Senachwine, in the Amboy Regional title game on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The Mallards are 12-12 on the season. 

Annawan-Wethersfield 6, Amboy 1

The Titans used a potent 4-run fourth inning and a strong pitching effort by senior hurler Sophie Nimrick to take down the Clippers (11-9). Nimrick fanned 12 batters in seven innings on the mound. 

In the top of the second inning, Traidan Hier and Elle Eastman reached first on walks. Aaliyah Hayes then hit a single to set the table for Brynn Harker. Harker reached on an error and Hier scored the first run for the Titans. 

Elaina Manuel then stepped to the plate and hit a single, sending home Eastman for a score of 2-0. Paige Huffman then reached on an error and Harker and Hayes capitalized on the error, scoring two more runs for the Titans (4-0).

In the bottom of the second inning, Nimrick struck out three of four batters.

Amboy threatened to score in the third inning. Leffelman and Vaessen each hit singles, but Nimrick struck out two of five batters to fend off the threat. 

The Titans added a run in the fourth inning. Harker hit a single and Manuel and Huffman each reached first on an error. Harker scored on the error, giving the Titans a 5-0 lead. Wavelynn Peart then singled, but the rally stalled. 

Nimrick struck out two of four batters in the fifth and sixth innings to hold the Clippers scoreless through six.

Senior pitcher Sophie Nimrick recorded 12 strikeouts in the regional semifinal win over Amboy. [Photo by Marlie Lindstrom of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]

Annawan-Wethersfield scored one final run in the top of the sixth inning. Karsyn Rico hit a single and Huffman walked, putting runners on first and second. Peart then doubled on a line drive to left field, plating Huffman for a score of 6-0.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Vaessen tripled on a grounder to right field. She then scored on a wild pitch, giving Amboy their lone run of the game. The final batter, Karson, grounded out to Nimrick for the final out and a Titan 6-1 win. 

Nimrick went the distance for Annawan-Wethersfield. In her seven innings in the circle, Nimrick struck out 12 and walked three, while surrendering just four hits and one earned run. 

McLaughlin pitched all seven innings for Amboy. She struck out five and walked four, while giving up eight hits and six runs (two earned).

At the plate 

Peart (2-4, 1 double, 1 RBI). Harker (1-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI). Huffman (1-3, 3 RBI, 1 run). Manuel (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB). Hayes (2-4, 1 run). Hier (1 run, 1 BB). Rico (1-3). Eastman (1 run, 1 BB)