Coal City Erases Four-Run Deficit with Six-Run Sixth Inning to Stun Peotone 6-4

The Coal City varsity softball team pulled off a stunning late-game rally, erupting for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a four-run deficit and defeat visiting Peotone 6-4 in Monday’s conference matchup.

For five innings, Peotone senior pitcher S. Klawitter was nearly unhittable in the circle. Klawitter racked up a staggering 13 strikeouts without issuing a single walk, keeping the Coalers completely off the scoreboard. However, a combination of timely late hitting by Coal City and four costly Peotone errors in the field ultimately unraveled the Blue Devils’ dominant start.

Peotone built its lead methodically over the early innings. S. Klawitter jump-started the offense herself, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. The Blue Devils struck first with a run in the opening frame and later extended their advantage to 4-0 with a three-run surge in the top of the fifth. Freshman Mary Klawitter delivered a crucial two-run double, while junior Payton Schnelle also smashed a double for the visitors. Junior Jillian Roark contributed to the run production with a hit, an RBI, and a run scored.

Trailing 4-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, Coal City finally broke through. Capitalizing on defensive miscues—only three of the six runs allowed by S. Klawitter were earned—the Coalers strung together six hits to plate six runs and take their first lead of the afternoon.

Coal City’s defense, which played flawless, error-free softball throughout the game, cleanly shut the door in the top of the seventh to seal the 6-4 comeback victory.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

(Note: Scored by Innings)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Peotone | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Coal City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | – | 6 | 6 | 0 |

Scoring Drives

(Note: Scoring by Innings)

• 1st Inning

  • Peotone: Scored 1 run to take an early lead.

• 5th Inning

  • Peotone: Plated 3 runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Mary Klawitter and an RBI by Jillian Roark.

• 6th Inning

  • Coal City: Erupted for 6 runs on 6 hits and capitalized on fielding errors to take a 6-4 lead.

Individual Statistics

BATTING:

• Peotone: S. Klawitter 2-4 (2 R); Mary Klawitter 1-3 (2B, 2 RBI); Payton Schnelle 1-3 (2B); Jillian Roark 1-2 (1 R, 1 RBI); Megan Cadieux 0-2 (1 BB); A. Christenberry 0-2 (1 BB). Team LOB: 3.

PITCHING:

• Peotone: S. Klawitter (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 13 K.

FIELDING:

• Peotone: 4 Errors (S. Klawitter 1, Ava Kosmos 1, A. Christenberry 1, Payton Schnelle 1).

• Coal City: 0 Errors.