Lady Warriors Handed First Diamond Loss

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The fastest start ever for a Du Quoin (Middle School) girls softball team crashed to an abrupt halt Monday afternoon in Sparta.

Striking out 17 times-and being held to just one hit-the Lady Warriors dropped a tough 1-0 decision to Sparta (Middle School).

With a 6-1 record, DMS visits Murphysboro Tuesday.

"We came out today and faced a dominating pitcher," Lady Warriors coach Jason James said.

"I think we were intimidated. We struck out too many times and have to find a way to put the ball in play. We simply have to get our bunts down and take advantage of our opportunities."

Du Quoin's lone hit was a single by Bri Green.

Sparta won the game with an unearned tally against DMS ace Cassidy Rice (6-1) in the last of the seventh.

A walk, error and wild pitch sent the deciding tally across the plate. Rice also threw a one-hitter, whiffing 11 and walking four.

"We had three innings where had a runner on third base and less than two outs," James said. "The Sparta pitcher would come up with a big strikeout."

Sparta 1, DMS 0

DMS 000 000 0-0 1 1

Sparta 000 000 1-1 1 0

LP-Rice, 6-1. DMS HITTERS: Green 1-3.