EAST PEORIA, Ill. • Shelbyville coach Josh Maxwell won his game Friday, but softball was definitely a secondary concern.
Maxwell's mother, Jane, passed away from cancer about an hour before the Rams' 7 p.m. scheduled start with Alton Marquette in the Illinois Class 2A state semifinals at EastSide Centre.
Shelbyville, making its first appearance at the state tournament, beat the Explorers 1-0 to advance to the championship game at 7 p.m. against Morrison (30-7).
Marquette (31-5) faces Lisle (28-5) for third place at 4:30 p.m. The Explorers finished fourth last season.
"It's been a tough day," Maxwell said through tears. "She's been battling cancer for seven years, and she's not hurting anymore. She was with us. She was with us all the way. It's for her. As for as I'm concerned, it's for her."
A throwing error in the top of the third by Marquette pitcher Alexis Silkwood (30-4) led to the only run of the game. Whitney Fox led off the inning with a hard push bunt that landed at the second baseman's spot. Silkwood was able to field the bunt but threw wildly to second baseman Anna Morrissey, who was covering on the play, allowing Fox to get to second.
Hollie Schultz reached on a third-strike wild pitch on a bunt attempt as Fox went to third. Hannah Dudley walked to load the bases. After Taylor Rhodes struck out swinging for the first out, No. 3 hitter Shannon Boone singled to center on a 1-1 offering for a 1-0 lead.
That was all Shelbyville pitcher Grace Moll (25-3) needed as she mowed Marquette down by allowing just one hit, a walk and a hit batter. She struck out six.
