By Jim Beers, contributing writer
CHESTER – The past five weeks has been a continuation of a roller coaster ride for the Chester High School Lady Jacket Softball Team. Weather has been a major contributing factor with seven-of-17 games being rained out. Otherwise, the Jackets have won five games and lost five games, interspersed with rainouts each of the five weeks.
CHS seniors (left to right) Kylie Fortner (7), Ashlyn Colvis (12) and Anna Childs (2) have been instrumental in the success of the Lady Jackets this season. All three have provided leadership and both offensive and defensive expertise to help lift the Jackets throughout the 2022 campaign. Jim Beers Photo
WEEK 4
The Lady Jackets had two games scheduled, one with Red Bud and the other with Dupo. CHS traveled to Red Bud Monday April 4, but was rained out Wednesday April 6 at Dupo.
Red Bud 6-Chester 1 (4-4-22)
In the loss, the Jackets fell behind early and failed to recover. CHS scored one run in the first, but the Lady Musketeers came back with a 4-run second inning. Red Bud scored one run on a Chester error, and added three more when Lyla Hess hit a double to advance three runners.
Danielle Schmitz was Red Bud’s winning pitcher. She allowed just one run on five hits in her seven innings and only walked one CHS batter. Emma Eggemeyer took the loss for CHS even though she struck out ten batters. The Musketeers got eight hits and six runs over six innings. Ashlyn Colvis was 3-for-3 at the plate for the Lady Jackets. Crewe Wagner, Addison Dilley and Lyla Hess each had multiple hits for Red Bud.
Dupo vs. Chester (Rained Out) 4-6-22
WEEK 5
The Lady Jackets were scheduled to play four games in Week 5; Elverado on the road, Sparta at home, Nashville on the road and Wesclin on the road. Three of the four were rained out including Elverado, Sparta and Nashville. Chester hosted Wesclin Thursday April 14.
Chester at Elverado (Rained Out) 4-11-22
Chester vs. Sparta (Rained Out) 4-12-22
Chester at Nashville (Rained Out) 4-13-22
Chester 9- Wesclin 5 (4-14-22)
The Lady Jackets got things going early with a 6-run first inning. Ashlyn Colvis singled on a 3-2 count to score two runs in the first and banged a home run in the second inning to get CHS a 7-0 lead.
Emma Eggemeyer led the team on the pitcher’s mound and an army of Lady Jackets did their job at the plate as Chester accumulated 11 hits behind the hitting of Colvis, Kylie Fortner, Kinsli McCartney, and Elaina Lutman. Each of those girls got multiple hits. Fortner went 3-of-4 at the late to pace the Jackets. Wesclin’s Lexie Oster led the Warriors with two hits for the day.
Chester scored one run in the third and another in the 6th to give them nine runs. The Warriors scored two runs in the third, one in the 6th and two more runs in the top of the 5th, but were 4-runs short to lose, 9-5. In the win, CHS recorded 11 hits and 9 runs. They also committed six errors. Wesclin scored five runs on six hits with just one error.
WEEK 6
Chester re-scheduled the rained-out Nashville game for Monday April 18. Tuesday April 19 the Jackets hosted Carlyle. New Athens and Waterloo were rained out Wednesday April 20 and Friday April 22. Saturday the Lady Jackets lost to Benton at the Sparta Tournament.
Nashville 12-Chester 2 (4-18-22)
Former River-to-River Mississippi Division foes, the Nashville Lady Hornets, stung hard, fast and early in the non-conference game Monday April 18 at Nashville. This was the rain-out game that was re-scheduled from Wednesday April 13.
The Hornets scored three runs in the first inning and two runs in the second to lead, 5-1. After a stalemate in the third, Nashville struck again in the fourth inning with three more runs and again in the fifth with four runs to accumulate a total of 12 runs to Chester’s two for the win.
The Lady Hornets began the run-fest taking advantage of a Chester error in the first inning to score their first two runs. Their high-powered offense was impossible for CHS to corral. Emma Eberhart was the winning pitcher for Nashville. During her five inning outing, she allowed just three hits, two runs and struck out five Batters.
Emma Eggemeyer had the loss for the Lady Jackets giving up 12 runs on nine hits. She struck out three Lady Hornets. Elaina Lutman, Kylie Fortner, and Ashlyn Colvis each recorded a hit apiece for the Jackets.
Eggemeyer shuts out Carlyle, 1-0 (4-19-22)
The day after getting pounded by Nashville, the Lady Jacket bounced back Tuesday April 19 at home to beat Cahokia Conference rival Carlyle 1-0 in a shut-out for the Jackets. Emma Eggemeyer did the honors for Chester. Pitching was the name of the game for both teams as Eggemeyer struck out five Lady Indian batters and Emma Meyer struck out 13 Chester batters.
In the win, Eggemeyer kept Carlyle scoreless giving up five hits over eight innings. Chester’s Lutman, Eggemeyer, and Colvis once were strong at the plate each getting a hit apiece. The Jackets did not commit an error in the win as Colvis had nine opportunities in the field, making good on each of them!
The score was knotted at 0-0 until the bottom of the extra inning (8th) when Chester scored one run to win. Coach Ryan Petrowske said, “We got a big conference win today. I am proud to say we played 8 innings of errorless ball. It was a defensive battle for both teams.”
“The game ended in very exciting fashion when Kylie Fortner stole home from 3rd base when the Indian catcher threw a pitched ball back to pitcher Emma Meyer. Fortner was on base because Eliana Lutman got a clutch hit that put Fortner in a position to score.”
“The game was a great team effort in which every player contributed. Even the three injured players on the bench helped out. All of the girls were solid on defense today and Emma Eggemeyer was once again a force in the pitching circle.”
Chester vs New Athens Rained Out (4-20-22)
Chester at Waterloo Rained Out (4-22-22)
Benton 10-Chester 7 (4-23-22)
The Lady Jackets fought hard and looked good on paper, out-hitting the Lady Rangers, 10-3, but an early Benton lead made it hard for Chester to recover in this non-conference match-up.
Benton scored three in the bottom of the first inning. The Jackets answered with one in the top of the 2nd and another in the top of the 4th to trail by just one run, 3-2.
The bottom of the 4th was a real blow to CHS, however, as Benton added five runs to extend their lead to 8-2.
In the top of the 5th, Chester struck back with four runs to trail by just two runs, 8-6, but the Rangers retaliated with two more runs in the bottom of the 5th to take a 10-6 lead. In the top of the 6th, CHS scored again for their 7th run, but it was too-little-too-late as the Lady Rangers held on to win, 10-7.
Chester’s big 4-run inning was driven by Courtney Welton who got a single to start things off. Ashlyn Colvis then put a ball in play which resulted in an error. Camrynn Luthy followed with a double.
Emily Melvin got the win for Benton. She lasted five innings allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out two Chester batters. Braelyn Miller came in for two innings of relief. Ashlyn Colvis took the loss for the Lady Jackets in the non-conference game.
Lutman, Colvis and Eggemeyer each had multiple hits for the Jackets. Lutman led Chester with three hits at three appearances at the plate. CHS stole bases four times led by Kylie Fortner who stole two bases.
WEEK 7
Chester was scheduled for two regular-season Cahokia Conference games in Week 7 with Okawville slated for Tuesday April 26 on the road and Red Bud at home Thursday April 28. Those games took place. The Steeleville Tournament scheduled for Saturday April 30 was rained out in its entirety.
Chester 6-Okawville 4 (4-26-22)
The Lady Jackets scored one run in the first inning when Ashlyn Colvis hit a double scoring a run. CHS added a run in the third to lead, 2-0 after three innings of play. In the bottom of the fourth Okawville scored three runs to take a brief 3-2 lead.
The Jackets didn’t stay dormant for long scoring two runs in the top of the 5th and one run in the top of both the 6th and 7th innings to lead, 6-3. In the bottom of the 7th the Lady Rockets scored one run, but the Jackets stopped the Rockets thereafter to bring home another Cahokia Conference victory, 7-4.
Emma Eggemeyer was the winning pitcher, throwing all seven innings, allowing just four runs on three hits. She also struck out six Rocket batters. The YellowJackets recorded 10 hits created by Eliana Lutman, Emma Eggemeyer, and Ashlyn Colvis with two hits apiece and Kylie Fortner, Camrynn Luthy, Anna Childs, and Kinsli McCartney with one each.
CHS had four runners reach base on balls including Colvis, McCartney, Kourtney Welton, and Emma Murphy. The Jackets also had five RBI’s from Luthy (2), Fortner (1), McCartney (1) and Murphy (1).
Red Bud 7-Chester 2 (4-28-22)
Chester hosted Cahokia Conference foe Red Bud Thursday April 28, losing 7-2. The first inning was a 0-0 lock, but the Lady Musketeers went crazy in the top of the 2nd inning and scored six runs behind the efforts of Katie Schneider who singled, a Grace Wallace walk, a double by Crewe Wagner, and a single by Addison Dilley.
Olivia Geralds got the win for Red Bud. She pitched all seven innings allowing only two Chester runs on five hits. She also struck out 11 Lady Jacket batters.
Emma Eggemeyer took the loss for Chester allowing eight hits and seven runs. Eggemeyer struck out nine Musketeer batters. The Lady Jackets recorded just five hits; Elaina Lutman (2), Kylie Fortner (2), and Anna Childs (1). Lutman, Emma Eggemeyer, and Camrynn Luthy each reached base on balls.
Steeleville Tournament Rained Out (Saturday April 30, 2022)
WEEK 8
Week 8 featured games with Trico Monday May 2, Sparta Tuesday May 3, and a non-scheduled game at Ste. Genevieve Wednesday May 4. The scheduled game with Wesclin Thursday May 5 was rained out.
Trico 17-Chester 0 (5-2-22)
The Trico Lady Pioneers came to Chester’s Cohen Field Monday May 2 and very rudely shut-out the Lady Jackets, 17-0.Trico took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a CHS error and never looked back!
A 9-run second inning followed by a 5-run third inning devastated the Jackets, down by 15-0. To add insult-to-injury, the Lady Pioneers scored two more runs in the top of the 4th to win the game, 17-0.
In the loss CHS only recorded two hits; Kylie Fortner (1) and Elaina Lutman (1). Three batters reached base via walks including Anna Childs, Emma Eggemeyer and Ashlyn Colvis. Six Lady Jackets struck out.
Madi Rathort was the winning pitcher for Trico. She allowed just two hits and struck out three Chester batters in her three innings on the mound. Josie Wettig relieved Rathort for one inning.
Emma Eggemeyer had the loss for CHS, allowing 14 hits and 17 runs over four innings. She struck out four Lady Pioneer batters.
Chester 10-Sparta 0 (5-3-22)
The Pioneers apparently stirred up the Lady Jackets the night before as the YellowJackets swarmed the Lady Bulldogs right from the first pitch and shut out Sparta, 10-0. Ashlyn Colvis was perfect on the rubber as she threw a no-hitter and allowed no runs in the process. She earned the win striking out six and walking just one Bulldog.
The Jackets scored one run in the first and third innings to lead, 2-0 after three innings of play. The 4th inning was huge for Chester as they racked-up five runs. The offense was led by Elaina Lutman Emma Eggemeyer and Anna Childs each recording RBI’s.
The Lady Jackets had great offense recording nine hit including Emma Eggemeyer (2), Elaina Lutman (2), and Emma Murphy, Anna Childs, Kylie Fortner, Kinsli McCartney, and Kourtney Welton.
The following Chester players also recorded RBI’s including Emma Eggemeyer (3), Elaina Lutman (3), Kylie Fortner (2), and Anna Childs for a total of nine RBI’s.
Chester 10-Ste. Genevieve 4 (5-4-22)
The Lady Jackets traveled to Missouri Wednesday May 5 to challenge Ste. Genevieve. Chester continued their winning ways bringing home a big non-conference win, 10-4, over the Dragons.
The Jackets scored one run to open the contest in the top of the first inning when Kylie Fortner scored on a passed ball. Chester held the Dragons scoreless for two innings.
In the bottom of the third inning Ste. Gen took a brief 3-1 lead on an Isabel Basler single which scored Mallory Wolk for one run. Ava Huber then scored on a base hit by Chloe Staffen. The Dragon’s third run scored when Chloe Walker knocked in Isabel Basler on a ground ball to Kylie Fortner.
Chester answered in the top of the 4th inning with 4-runs to re-take the lead, 5-3. Emma Eggemeyer doubled to get on 2nd base. Ashlyn Colvis hit a fly ball which was dropped by left fielder Bryanna Wehner to score Eggemeyer.
Colvis reached base on the error. Anna Childs singled on a line drive to center fielder Isabel Basler and Colvis scored. Camrynn Luthy kept the drive alive when she bunted and catcher Chloe Staffen made a bad throw. Luthy reached 2nd base on the error. Childs scored. Luthy then stole 3rd base then scored on a steal of home plate to give Chester then 5-3 lead.
Both teams scored in the 5th inning as the score was 6-4. Chester had another 4-run inning in the 6th to increase the lead to 10-4. In that run, Camrynn Luthy started the ruin by singling on a hard hit ground ball to 2nd baseman Mia Schweigert. Luthy advanced to 2nd base on a ball hit back to the pitcher, Ana Greer.
A Dragon error allowed Emma Murphy to reach base and Camrynn Luthy scored (7-4). Murphy scored when Elaina Lutman singled on a hard-hit ball to shortstop Ava Huber. (8-4).
Kylie Fortner then stepped to the plate and smashed a double on a line drive to center fielder Isabel Basler. That scored Eliana Lutman (19-4). Emma Eggemeyer ended the 4-run drive when the Dragons committed an error on her ground ball to shortstop which scored Lutman (10-4).
Neither team scored in the 7th inning and CHS brought home a non-conference win from Ste. Genevieve.
In the win, the Lady Jackets recorded nine hits by Anna Childs (2), Emma Eggemeyer (2), Kylie Fortner (2), Camrynn Luthy (1), Ashlyn Colvis (1), and Elaina Lutman (1). Eggemeyer and Fortner hit doubles. Childs, Eggemeyer, Fortner, and Lutman each had RBI’s.
Chester vs Wesclin Rained Out (5-5-22) Re-scheduled for Monday May 9.