Hillsboro (3-0) got off to a strong start in Game 1, sending nine batters to the plate in the top of the first inning and putting five runs on the board.
Amanda Bina led off with a single, Suzy Lindsay reached base when a third strike got past the Halstead catcher, and Steph Abbott brought Bina home from third with an infield single.
After Jessica Klose walked to load the bases, Amber King struck out and Jenessa Klose walked to force home Lindsay. Then Rachelle Goldsby drove in Abbott and Jessica Klose with a ground-ball double past third base.
Lora Andrews drove in the fifth run with a ground out.
The Trojans, helped by four walks, added two more runs in the second for a 7-0 lead. King brought home one run with a sacrifice fly and the second run crossed on a wild pitch.
Lindsay singled home Hills?boro?s eighth run in the third inning after Meghan Jost walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third.
Halstead countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, then added four more in the fourth off starter Jenessa Klose, who uncharacteristically walked five batters and threw a couple of wild pitches in the fourth.
Leading 8-6, Hillsboro added three insurance runs in the fifth. Three walks early in the inning led to an RBI on a ground out by Lindsay, then Jessica Klose followed with a two-run single after Abbott drew the fourth walk.
Halstead added a final run in the bottom of the fifth on three consecutive singles with catcher Jessica Klose picking off one runner at first base.
Jenessa Klose picked up her third win of the season, although she struggled in spots. Klose walked six batters and gave up eight hits while striking out six. All seven Halstead runs were earned runs.
?Jen did struggle some in the third and fourth innings, due to the amount of mud and her balance,? coach Stephanie Sinclair said. ?Many pitches would not work because of her balance and the ball being somewhat wet.
?I was happy to get out of there and have a win,? Sinclair added. ?The defense played errorlessly and we had some great defensive plays from Suzy, Jes, Jandi (Nikkel) and Lora. The girls are good about getting the key outs in the right places.?
Coming?Hillsboro was scheduled to take on league-title contender Hoisington on Tuesday. The Trojans will play host to Marion on Friday in a makeup doubleheader at the Sports Complex.
Action begins at 4:30 p.m.
