Benton's stars shine before the lightning strikes

MARION — When Alyssa Wiebel is batting, keep your head up and your eyes open. Anything and anyone within a 250-foot radius is fair game.

Wiebel hit two long home runs, including one that briefly broke up a friendly tennis match, as Class 3A top-ranked Benton Community whipped Marion twice, 10-0 and 13-0, in a Wamac Conference West Division softball double-header Monday night at the Les Hipple Athletic Complex.

'That's probably the longest one I've ever hit,' Wiebel — a senior bound for Illinois State University — said of the latest of her 53 career homers. 'I don't think they were probably expecting a softball coming their way.'

The last one was estimated at 250 feet, long beyond the left-field fence, over the batting cages and onto the tennis court. She also drilled a 245-footer to right-center to lead off the first game.

Heroes were plentiful for the Bobcats, who improved to 20-2 overall, 4-0 in the division.

Amber Fiser, who spent her eighth-grade season at Marion before moving west, tossed a 14-strikeout perfect game in the opener.

'It's pretty interesting coming back here,' said Fiser, whose next move will be to the University of Minnesota in the fall. 'I just treat it like any other game, and don't let it get in my head.'

Fiser also homered in the opener, a leadoff shot in the sixth that provided the 10th run and allowed the first game to end early. Game 2 ended after four innings, allowing the Bobcats to leave town before lightning could delay their exit.

'We knew a storm was coming, so we had to get out of here quick,' said Fiser, who needed just 65 pitches (52 for strikes).

While Wiebel had the two long shots, Angie Gorkow had the most productive — a grand slam in the third inning of the nightcap.

Wiebel (5-0) pitched a two-hitter in Game 2. Camryn Cannoy and Bayley Fuller doubled for the Indians (5-9, 0-4).

After a barrage of 21 home runs last year, Wiebel hasn't had many opportunities to unload this summer. She has been walked 15 times in the first half of the season. Her two homers Monday ran her season total to six.

'It's kind of frustrating, but since I'm the leadoff batter this year, if they walk me, it puts the team in a good situation to score right away.'

BENTON COMMUNITY 10-13, MARION 0-0 (6,4)

At Marion

Game 1

Benton Community 401 131 — 10 14 0

Marion 000 000 — 0 0 2

Amber Fiser and Jaicee Lyons. Alicia Steepleton and Sydney Nielsen. W — Fiser (9-1). L — Steepleton (4-6). HR — BC: Alyssa Wiebel (5), Fiser (2).

Game 2

Benton Community 326 2 — 13 9 0

Marion 000 0 — 0 2 2

Alyssa Wiebel and Jaicee Lyons. Camryn Cannoy, Livvy Draves (3) and Sydney Nielsen. W — Wiebel (5-0). L — Cannoy (1-3). HR — BC: Wiebel (6), Angie Gorkow (4).

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