Charleston High softball is in control of its destiny.

By sweeping Taylorville today, the visiting Trojans would clinch a share of the Apollo Conference title. The doubleheader begins at 11 a.m.

To win the Apollo outright, Charleston (21-6, 8-2) will need help from either Mount Zion or Mattoon. The Bulldogs, who also have only two conference losses, face third-place Mt. Zion today and Mattoon next Tuesday.

“As far as Taylorville, we must remain focused on controlling what we do,” said CHS coach Blain Mayhall. “We don’t worry about other team’s records. If we have a positive mindset and are willing to make in-game adjustments when needed, we will give ourselves a chance to win. Consistency in all aspects will be a must on Saturday (today).”

Charleston’s had swept Mt. Zion on Tuesday, 7-4 and 8-3, to move within the two final games of securing at least a tie.

The team lost a non-conference game to Newton 5-0 on Thursday.

“If are able to capture an Apollo title, that would be great,” said Mayhall. “It would secure one of the goals that we set. However, we have other goals to achieve and obstacles to conquer for ourselves and for the program as a whole. This group has always made me proud, and if we continue to play for each other and give max effort, I don’t see that changing any time soon.”

Taylorville (5-15, 1-9) owns one conference win this season, 3-1 over Lincoln. The team lost to Mahomet-Seymour 10-2, 17-0; Mattoon 8-2, 19-0 Mount Zion 10-1, 14-4 and Effingham 3-0, 12-2.

“We have to go out there and do what we do,” said Mayhall. “We can’t let up and need to continue playing our style. We have been a bit more consistent lately at the plate and w/ our defense. The girls are starting to realize what I already knew. They are pretty darn good when they are clicking on all cylinders and play as a unit. I hope this trend continues. It’s important to be playing our best ball at this time of the year.”

Charleston Stats: Karah Moore leads the team in batting average at .494, while Maci Mayhall is hitting .450. Addison Shrader leads the team with 30 runs. Moore and Shrader are at the top in hits with 44 and 41 respectively. That goes the same with 32 and 24 runs batted in each. Moore has hit nine home runs, while Erin Blair has mashed seven. In the pitching circle, Moore owns an 11-5 record, 1.98 earned run average with 94 strikeouts. Kailyn Wilson is 7-1 with a 3.90 ERA, while Schrader owns a 0.63 record with 22 strikeouts in 22.1 innings of work.