The Charleston baseball and softball teams prepare for Apollo Conference play in their next matchups, set to take on Mattoon in both sports respectively.   

The recent inclement weather was a huge factor in the cancellation of some games and postponement of the team’s matchups against the Greenwave, which was set to be a doubleheader on Saturday. Instead, both will be played this week.   

Here’s a look at how both teams have begun their seasons.  

Charleston Softball  

The Trojan softball team ended March and began April with similar results: walk-off victories.   

On March 31, Charleston (4-2) played Flora High School in sub-50-degree temperatures, overcoming a game-tying three-run home run and winning the game 8-7 in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a walk-off sacrifice fly by sophomore Railyn Cox.   

“That’s the strongest I’ve seen them play yet so far and the most teamwork I’ve seen them show,” head coach Allyson O’Dell said after the game.   

The next day, the Trojans were behind 7-0 to Danville. After scoring once in the third inning, Charleston scored three runs in the fifth inning and scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to complete the 9-8 comeback victory.   

Cox leads the Apollo Conference at the plate with a batting average of .632 and is second in the conference with 10 RBIs, and she is tied with junior Avery Beals for the team lead in hits with 10. Beals also leads the conference in stolen bases.   

Cox has been the Trojan’s workhorse so far in the circle, leading the team with a 3.82 ERA in 25 and two-thirds innings pitched. With a record of 3-0 in five pitching appearances, she leads the conference in wins and is second in strikeouts with 19.   

“She’s showing up big time for us both at the plate and [while pitching],” O’Dell said. “I know the girls really respect her and want to have her back in the field so that’s a big help as well.    

Charleston faces Mattoon at home for a doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 4:30.  

“Obviously it’s Mattoon, so you’re going in with a little bit different mentality, but [it should be] just another game for us,” O’Dell said. 

Charleston Baseball  

To wrap up the March portion of their schedule, the Trojans (1-4) were back at home to face Newton after two games on the road saw them travel to Westville and Salem.  

The game, which was played on March 28, was notable for its wind, which was blowing at 25.3 mph 30 minutes before the game.   

The intense wind in that game was a representation of how it is most seasons in high school baseball, teams battling the elements to get games in.  

“It’s very difficult, especially with those giant gusts that that would come in randomly,” Charleston senior Luke Bonnstetter said. “That’s just something we talk about in pregame and we check the flag and shift your defense based on that.”  

As the starting pitcher and leadoff hitter for Charleston, Bonnstetter pitched four innings and allowed four hits and two runs while getting six strikeouts. On the season, he’s 0-2 with an 8.65 ERA in five and two-thirds innings and tied for the team lead with Paxton Lofton with nine strikeouts.  

Offensively, the Trojans are near the bottom of the Apollo Conference in batting average and runs scored, and Charleston is the only team in the conference with a record below .500.  

Head coach Daniel Bennett is still positive and looking forward to the rest of the season despite the team’s 1-4 start.  

“I think we’re moving in the right direction where it’s early in the season, we’re trying to find our swings,” Bennett said. “We’re going to be okay; we got to keep playing.”  

Bennett says the key to moving forward is practice.  

“You know our guys that come to practice every day, but practices get a little daunting. We need to see some live pitching from other teams, so we’re going to get rolling, we got to get some good weather and some sunshine,” Bennett said.  

Charleston will face the Greenwave for a doubleheader on Monday in Mattoon, with the first pitch of game one set for 4 p.m.  

Gabe Newman and Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at densportsdesk@gmail.com.