Two big reasons Brimfield/Elmwood softball is an IHSA regional champion

BRIMFIELD — An aggressive plate approach and stellar pitching helped Brimfield/Elmwood win its own Class 2A softball regional.

The Indians beat Port Byron Riverdale, 10-0 in five innings on Friday, ending a three-year regional championship drought. Brimfield (31-3) now heads to the Chillicothe Sectional and will face Canton (19-10) in the 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal at Illinois Valley Central.

"Like everybody else when you get to the postseason," B/E coach Kurt Juerjens said, "you want to keep moving on as much as you can. The only way you can keep doing that is hopefully play well and keep winning."

The offense produced 10 runs off 11 hits including three extra-base knocks.

Brimfield, ranked No. 8 in the latest Class 2A poll by the Illinois Coaches Association, went ahead 3-0 in its first at-bats. This frame was highlighted by a two-out, two run-scoring double from Layla Hersemann. And the sophomore wasn't done, helping to add on to the lead with an RBI-single in the third.

She finished 3-for-3 on the day with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.

"I just go up there," Hersemann said, "and I'm looking for one pitch. If I get that pitch, I know I'm swinging. ... Got a few runs on the board, that helps us a lot."

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With the offense humming, junior pitcher Sawyer Drury was able to dominate in the circle. The Creighton commit twirled a two-hitter, striking out seven and walking none for back-to-back postseason shutouts.

She needed just 81 pitches in the 58-minute game.

"Right off the bat, we get runs," Drury said, "and it's just like a weight lifted off my shoulders. It's really nice."

Riverdale (26-6) was held scoreless for just the second time this season. The Rams used two pitchers — Brie DeBlaey and Danika Saddoris — but gave up six earned runs, walked one and struck out one.

Kendyl Binder chipped in three RBIs, while Brooke Allen, Schyer Meinders and Layni Linthicum (2-for-3) all batted in a run each for Brimfield, which last won a sectional 10 years ago en route to the 2015 Class 2A state runner-up finish.

"I want to make it all the way to at least state," Drury said. "I think we have the bats and defense for it. We just got to look in and focus and just really hone in on all the small little details because that's what matters in the game."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA softball: Brimfield/Elmwood wins Class 2A regional