Lady Vikings return to Elite Eight to defend title as Martin hits three home runs

SPRINGFIELD-Andie Martin hit three home runs Thursday afternoon including a grand slam and Jenna Pealor hit a single home run to lead the Lady Vikings to the Elite Eight state tournament for the ninth time in 10 years after defeating the Lady Rebels in Springfield.

Winners of the AAAA title last year, the Lady Vikings took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Ebonee Echols reached on a single and with out Martin hit her first home run of the game.

Northgate added two more runs in the top of the second inning as Sachs had an RBI on a bunt single and later scored on a passed ball.

Martin drilled her second home run of the game in the top of the third inning to give the Lady Vikings a 5-0 lead but the scoring continued in the frame as Katie Burns followed with a single and Pealor followed with a two-run home run.

In the top of the fourth inning, Martin struck again when she drilled a grand slam after singles by Katie Sachs, Brenna Skalski and a walk to Echols loaded the bases.

Northgate scored their final run of the game in the top of the fifth as Sachs singled and scored on a double by Echols.

Effingham County scored all of their runs in the bottom of the fifth inning for the game's final margin off winning pitcher McKenzie Peace who allowed two hits and recorded five strikeouts in the complete game.