Klawitter’s 16 Strikeouts Propel Peotone to 6-0 Shutout Over Clifton Central

Senior S. Klawitter delivered a dominant two-way performance on Friday, tossing a 16-strikeout shutout and driving in two runs to lead the Peotone varsity softball team to a 6-0 non-conference victory over host Clifton Central.

Klawitter was virtually untouchable in the circle from the first pitch to the last. The Peotone ace tossed a complete-game gem, needing just 86 pitches to navigate seven innings. She scattered a mere two hits, did not issue a single walk, and struck out 16 Clifton Central batters, keeping the home team completely off balance all afternoon.

Peotone’s offense provided Klawitter with early run support, pushing two runs across the plate in the top of the first inning. That early 2-0 advantage proved to be all the cushion the senior pitcher would need, though the Peotone lineup continued to apply pressure throughout the contest.

Payton Schnelle was the offensive catalyst for the visitors, finishing a stellar 3-for-4 at the plate and scoring a run. Klawitter helped her own cause by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Megan Cadieux also turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4. Freshman Mary Klawitter added a spark with the game’s only extra-base hit, ripping a triple, and Ava Kosmos reached base twice with a hit and a walk.

After the early action, the game settled into a defensive battle through the middle innings. Clifton Central starting pitcher Emily Ponton battled hard in the circle, tossing a complete game of her own. Ponton threw 105 pitches over seven innings, striking out six batters and allowing just one walk. However, she was forced to work around three costly defensive errors by her fielding unit, which resulted in three unearned runs.

Peotone finally broke through the mid-game stalemate in the late innings to put the game out of reach. The visitors manufactured two runs in the top of the sixth inning and tacked on two final insurance runs in the seventh to cement the 6-0 margin.

Clifton Central’s offense struggled to find an answer for Klawitter’s overpowering velocity and control. Chloe Cotter and Mia Perzee recorded the only hits for the hosts, each finishing 1-for-3 on the day.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 1st Inning: Peotone strikes quickly, plating two runs to take immediate control. (Peotone 2, Clifton Central 0)

• 6th Inning: After four scoreless frames, Peotone breaks through for two runs to extend its advantage. (Peotone 4, Clifton Central 0)

• 7th Inning: The visitors tack on two final insurance runs to put the game completely out of reach. (Peotone 6, Clifton Central 0)

Individual Statistics

PITCHING:

• Peotone: S. Klawitter (Sr) – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 16 K (86 pitches).

• Clifton Central: E. Ponton – 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K (105 pitches).

HITTING:

• Peotone: P. Schnelle (Jr): 3-4, 1 R; S. Klawitter (Sr): 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 R; M. Cadieux (Jr): 2-4, 1 R; A. Kosmos (Sr): 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB; M. Klawitter (Fr): 1-4, 1 3B; A. Christenberry (So): 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

• Clifton Central: C. Cotter: 1-3; M. Perzee: 1-3.