East beats West, 4-3, to advance to softball sectional

Belleville East sophomore Jessica Belzer laced a two-out, two-run, walk-off hit to secure the Lancers’ 4-3 win over Belleville West and the Class 4A regional softball championship.

Down 2-0, the Maroons scored three in the top of the seventh —all with two out — to take their only lead of the game. But Brooke Laidley singled and Becca Dahm walked with one out in the Lancer half to set up Belzer’s game winner.

The Lancers will face the winner of the Alton Regional, which will be decided between Edwardsville and Alton Monday at 4:30 p.m. The all-Southwestern Conference sectional showdown currently is scheduled to be played at Collinsville’s Jaycee Sports Complex, Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

ANALYSIS: Gritty young Lancers winning with walkoffs

PITCHING: For East, junior Angela Vanderpluym allowed eight hits — four in the Maroons’ comeback seventh — while striking out one and walking two. West sophomore pitcher Isabella Holtrop allowed five Lancer hits, struck out two and walked one, but was victimized by four Maroon errors.

LANCER THIRD: Quiozha Alexander singled to lead off, advanced to second on a ground out and stole third. Tawnee Kramer broke the scoreless tie with a single into center. Holtrop got out of trouble with an inning-ending double play started by West third baseman Morgan Hinkle. EAST 1, WEST 0

LANCER FIFTH: Becca Dahm reached on a two-base throwing error with one out. She scored all the way from second when the West defense mishandled a sacrfice bunt by Alexander. Holtrop escaped more trouble, again, when Belzer lined out to West shortstop Hannah Biermann, who then doubled Alexander off of first. EAST 2, WEST 0

MAROON SEVENTH: Designated player McKenzie Sisk got a one out single and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Glaeser. Junior Daisha Price, pinch hitting with two out as the tying run, singled to right to score Sisk. Alliyah St. John roped a triple to score Price tie the game, then scored on a wild pitch to put West on top. WEST 3, EAST 2

LANCER SEVENTH: With one out Brooke Laidley singled, follow by a walk to Becca Dahm. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Belzer’s game winner. EAST 4, WEST 3

RECORDS: Belleville East 24-9, Belleville West 22-14.

This story was originally published May 30, 2015 at 6:41 PM with the headline "East beats West, 4-3, to advance to softball sectional."