High School Softball
Lady Railers drop regional softball title to Washington
Records broken and tied as the season came to an end

 

[May 31, 2023] 

The Lady Railers softball team ended the season on Friday night in the Class 3A Regional Championship hosted by the Washington Panthers. Lincoln lost to a very tough Panthers team by a final score of 6-1.

The Lady Railers defeated Peoria Notre Dame 5-2 on Tuesday night in order to get to the championship game.

In addition, records were broken and tied this season by a very talented Lady Railers softball team.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

The first game of regionals for the Lady Railers was a battle but the Lincoln girls prevailed by scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and taking the win by a final score of 5-2 over the Peoria Notre Dame Irish.

Cara Farnam was in the circle for Lincoln against the Irish and she made history in the very first inning. Farnam entered the game with 255 strikeouts on the season, which tied a record previously set by Desirae Lercher. Farnam got her record-breaking strikeout by striking out the no. 4 hitter on a 2-2 count. The senior standout caught the cleanup batter looking and from that moment on, Farnam would strike out 10 more batters in the game, finishing with 11 on the night.

However, the Irish did make contact on a few of Farnam’s pitches and they were able to score runs off her in the fourth and fifth innings, with errors involved, too.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Lincoln started a rally. After a lead off walk to Faith Eckhardt, Taryn Stoltzenburg singled hard up the middle and drove in the Lady Railers first run. Eckhardt had advanced earlier to second base on a wild pitch during Stoltzenburg’s at bat. After Farnam flew out for the first out of the inning, Adi Rumler drew a walk and that put Lady Railers on the corners for Alex Eads. Eads crushed a triple to right field and both Stoltzenburg and Rumler scored on the hit. Lincoln would take a 3-2 lead over the Panthers and the girls were not done yet. Malena Kirgan cracked a single to center and Lily Holmes, the pinch runner for Eads, came flying home to score. Morgan Sheley followed with a bunt single and after a walk to Kelsey Marten, the bases were loaded with Lady Railers. Chloe Johnston would strike out for the second out in the inning, however, Lincoln would squeak across one more run on a walk to Eckhardt. The ladies had batted around in the lineup and it was Eckhardt who had started the big inning in the first place by drawing a walk. Stoltzenburg would ground out to end the inning, but with a 5-2 lead heading into the sixth inning, Lincoln was focused on getting the win.

The Irish were retired quickly in order in the top of the sixth inning, with Farnam fielding the ground out and getting two strikeouts.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Irish reached base on a dropped third strike and an error, but Lincoln escaped with the 5-2 win on a game-ending ground out to Alex Eads at first base.

Farnam earned the win, which was also record-setting. The win was no. 21 on the season for Farnam and this broke the previous record of 20 wins, also set by Desirae Lercher. Farnam worked seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Only one run was earned. She struck out 11 batters while walking two. She threw 123 pitches, 80 for strikes, while facing 31 batters.

Taryn Stoltzenburg and Adi Rumler led the Lady Railers offense.

Stoltzenburg was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Rumler was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk.

Cara Farnam, Alex Eads, Malena Kirgan and Morgan Sheley also recorded hits for the Lady Railers versus the Irish.

Friday, May 26, 2023

Lincoln struck first in the regional championship game with Washington, but on their home field the Panthers would take the win by a final score of 6-1.

Lincoln’s only run was scored in the top of the first inning as Cara Farnam scored on a wild pitch. Farnam had reached base on a walk, stole second and third and scored on the wild pitch during the at bat of Alex Eads.

The Panthers would tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning and take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.

After Washington scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the final score was set and the Panthers went on to win 6-1.

Faith Eckhardt and Cara Farnam had the only two hits versus the Panthers.

Farnam took the loss, allowing six runs but only four runs were earned. She gave up 10 hits, walked four batters and struck out two. She threw 127 pitches, 73 for strikes, while facing 35 batters.

Lincoln finished the season with a 21-15 record.

New names going on the wall at Roy S. Anderson:

Cara Farnam

Farnam broke the season shutout record last season, when she recorded shutout no. 9. The previous record was 8 shutouts set by Desirae Lercher.

Last season Farnam tied the season win record with 20 wins and this season she managed to break it, recording win no. 21 in the first game of regionals.

During her senior season, Farnam also became the all-time leader in strikeouts, finishing the 2023 season with 268 strikeouts.

Lercher had also held those records previously.

In addition, on the base paths Farnam was a speedster. She stole 36 bases this season for the Lady Railers. That broke the old record of 29 stolen bases, however Farnam’s teammate will claim that record as you will read soon.

At the plate, Farnam finished with a career batting average of .418 in three seasons. Obviously, most Varsity players only compete for two seasons at the higher level but Farnam joins a short list of elite athletes who earned that right on the field to play more. Farnam’s freshman season was canceled due to Covid, leaving one to wonder what else she could have accomplished.

Farnam even had a perfect game last season on May 24, 2022. The Valedictorian of the Class of 2023 sure had a spectacular career at LCHS and she will continue her academic and athletic career at Lakeland in the fall.

Adi Rumler

Rumler had a fantastic season at the plate for the Lady Railers. Rumler, who played softball at U-High in Normal previously and returned to Lincoln for her senior year, tied a season record for hits. Rumler had 55 hits for the Lady Railers, tying the previous record of 55 hits set by Peggy Bobb. Rumler, a senior, will continue her academic and athletic career at UIS in Springfield.

Taryn Stoltzenburg

Stoltzenburg finished her junior season as the all-time stolen base leader. She swiped 39 bases this season, shattering the old record of 29 stolen bases set by Amanda Podbelsek.

Congratulations, Lady Railers!

[Teena Lowery]