The Southern

14 hours ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

PEORIA — To quote the great poet — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — “Into each life some rain must fall,” which speaks to the universal human experience of facing difficult times. The Carterville Lions softball team felt that rain both figuratively and literally Saturday, falling to Beecher, 5-2, in a state championship game that lasted 10 innings.

1 day ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

PEORIA — The job is not finished. That has been the mantra of Coach Will Capie and his Carterville High School softball team since the postseason began. kAmp7E6C H:??:?8 E96 w2CC:D3FC8 #68:@?2=[ |FCA9JD3@C@ $64E:@?2=[ 2?5 r2C3@?52=6 $FA6C\$64E:@?2=[ E96 {:@?D 25G2?465 E@ E96 r=2DD ap 492>A:@?D9:A 82>6 2E cib_ A]>] E@52J W$2EFC52JX 27E6C 56762E:?8 }@CE9 q@@?6[ d\`[ :? @?6 D6>:7:?2= 82>6 uC:52J]k^AmkAm}@H ah\c @?

1 day ago | thesouthern.com | Tim Petrowich

O'FALLON — Centralia pitcher Madison Francois was just the solution for the Annies against an aggressive Marion Lady Wildcat offense. Francois tantalized the sluggers from Williamson County with rise balls that looked good until they weren't, striking out 15 as Centralia topped Marion 6-0 to win the Class 3A Triad Sectional championship. kAm%96 82>6 H2D A=2J65 2E ~Vu2==@? 5F6 E@ H6E 8C@F?5D :?

1 day ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

The Carterville Lions move quite well with that bull’s eye on their backs. Despite everybody’s best shot, they are the last prep sports team standing from The Southern Illinoisan coverage area this weekend as they search for a second-straight state championship in softball. kAm(96? r2A:6’D rCFD256CD 3=:EK65 }6HE@?[ g\_[ :? E96 r=2DD ap r2C3@?52=6 $FA6C\$64E:@?2= 82>6 |@?52J[ :E >2C<65 E96 7:CDE E:>6 :?

2 days ago | thesouthern.com | Brandyn Wilcoxen

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