Hanover Central wasted no time taking control Thursday, erupting for 11 runs in the first inning on the way to a 16–0 win over River Forest in the opening round of the Sectional 18 tournament.
The game took place May 28 at Kankakee Valley.
The Wildcats set the tone immediately, sending the entire lineup to the plate and stacking quality at‑bats throughout the inning. Dallas Bowen doubled in the first run of the game, then later singled home two more as Hanover built a commanding lead before River Forest could record the second out. Nora Edgerton and Jillian DeYoung each added RBI singles, while Kaden Poppe delivered a two‑run base hit to keep the inning rolling. Brooklyn Oostman lifted a sacrifice fly, and Adeline McMahon forced in another run with a bases‑loaded walk as the Wildcats’ advantage swelled to double digits.
Hanover continued to apply pressure in the second and third innings, adding two runs in the second and three more in the third. Jordyn Varble singled to center, and both Corryn Schultz and Jessica Ferguson drew bases‑loaded walks to extend the margin.
DeYoung earned the win with two hitless innings and six strikeouts, and Claire Edgerton followed with three hitless frames and six strikeouts. Bowen finished 2‑for‑2 with three RBIs, while Poppe also collected two hits.
