Mendota scored three runs in the first inning and that was all it needed to defeat Rockford Christian, 7-1, in a Big Northern Conference varsity softball game on April 18 at the MHS field.

Larkin O’Donnell led off the first frame with a single, and one out later, Morgan Marquis also singled. With two outs, Alexis Diaz delivered a two-run double and then she scampered home on a wild pitch.

Christian scored its only tally in the top of the third and then the Lady Trojans matched that run in the bottom of the inning when Haylie Barrera walked and came around to score on three wild pitches.

Mendota added two more runs in the sixth, with Rylee Klema getting an RBI single, and one in the seventh to complete the scoring.

The Lady Trojans had five hits in the contest, while two Mendota pitchers limited Christian to four hits. Brittany Menzel gained the victory, pitching into the fifth inning before being relieved by Ryann Avery. Menzel gave up all four hits, one run, walked two and struck out two. Avery did not allow a hit over the final 2 2/3 innings. She walked a pair and fanned three.

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Mendota ran up against a solid Stillman Valley club and dropped a 17-2 conference contest on April 19 at Stillman Valley. The game was halted in the fifth by the 10-run rule.

Stillman Valley took control from the outset, sending 15 batters to the plate in the first inning with 10 of them scoring.

The Lady Trojans scored their two runs in the top of the second. Reiss Buettner led off with a double and Kathryn McNally walked. Avery sacrificed both runners up a base, and one out later, Lauryn Kelly delivered a run-scoring single. Marquis followed with another RBI single for what proved to be Mendota’s final run of the game.

Menzel got the start in the circle for Mendota and was only able to retire one batter before being replaced by Klema.

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The Lady Trojans swept a double-header at Kewanee on April 22.

Mendota sailed to a 10-0 triumph in game one as it got a superb pitching performance from Klema. The game was called after five because of the 10-run rule.

The junior righty mowed down Kewanee batters while allowing just two hits. She struck out four and did not issue a walk.

Mendota totaled just five hits, but benefited from seven walks. Hope McDowell delivered two singles, while Diaz singled and drove in two runs. Klema added a double.

The Lady Trojans broke open a tight game in the seventh inning to post an 11-5 win in the nightcap.

Mendota held a 4-2 lead entering the seventh when it plated seven runs. Four of them came home when O’Donnell blasted a grand slam home run.

Mendota (10-7) could only muster four hits in the contest, but again took advantage of wildness by the Kewanee pitcher, who issued 13 walks and hit five batters.

Avery got the start for the Lady Trojans and pitched 6 2/3 innings to earn the win.

Mendota returned to conference action when it hosted Rock Falls on April 24. The Lady Rockets proved too strong in claiming a 9-1 verdict over the Lady Trojans.

Rock Falls built an 8-0 lead before Mendota scored its only run of the game in the fifth on a single by Marquis to drive in Avery, who had walked.

The Lady Trojans (10-8, 7-3) had five hits, led by Klema with two singles and a double.

Winning pitcher Natalie Soltow recorded 15 strikeouts for Rock Falls.