By Mike Monahan

HIGHLAND – The third time was the charm for the Charleston softball team competing in the programs’ third-ever sectional championship.

The Trojans won their first-ever sectional title Saturday in the Class 3A game against Waterloo by scoring the final 10 runs of the game in an 11-5 victory.

“It (winning the sectional) is a big deal,” said Charleston coach Blain Mayhall. “This is for the girls who used to sit on the bleachers and watch the 2018 and 2019 teams (that reached the sectional championship). Those teams set the stage for Charleston softball in general. To go out and win for themselves, but for the girls who are watching. That is what the game is about — the little ones watching the high school girls. ‘

Charleston (27-5), winners of nine straight, now play fellow Apollo Conference foe, Mt. Zion at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Millikin University with the winner advancing to the state tournament.

The Braves are 32-5 and coming off a 6-3 win over Chatham Glenwood to win their sectional. Mt. Zion has won 12 games in a row.

Charleston, trailing 5-1, scored six runs in the third inning.

Addison Shrader started the scoring by reaching base on a bunt. A bunt by Avery Beals moved her to second. Shrader and Beals advanced a base on a passed ball followed by a two-run single to left field by Karah Moore. Kyleigh Wilson then singled to left, driving in Moore to make it 5-4.

Clara Cox singled. An error on the play moved Cox and Wilson to second and third.

Wilson scored on a fielder’s choice on a bunt by Erin Blair, who reached safely, tying the score.

“As we came in after the top of the third, I got my loud voice out and said that this is not who we are. Chip away. And they responded in a big way,” said Mayhall.

Cox scored on a passed ball to give Charleston a lead it would not relinquish. Maci Mayhall gave the Trojans a 7-5 lead with a single to left, scoring Blair.

CHS added two more runs in the fourth and sixth innings.

Clara Cox went 3-for-4, scored twice and drove on three runs while Moore went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

“It was great to feel more comfortable,” said Moore. “We had a lot of adrenaline and energy during the third and the rest of the game. Everyone having a contribution means so much. It is great to see our ups and downs come together. Now is the most fun playing softball together.”

Waterloo 113 000 0–5-8-5

Charleston 106 202 x–11-14-6

Winning pitcher: Addison Shrader (7-0) 6 ⅔ innings, 8 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts. Karah Moore ⅓ inning, 1 hit, 3 runs, 2 earned, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts

CHARLESTON: Shrader 1-for-4, stolen base, run; Avery Beals 1-for-4, 2 runs; Moore 2-for-4, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Kailyn Wilson 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Clara Cox 3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Erin Blair run, RBI; Maci Mayhall 2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs; Brie Tomlinson 2-for-4

Losing pitcher: Mia Miller (7-2) 6 innings, 14 hits, 11 run, 8 earned, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts

WATERLOO: Mallory Thompson 1-for-3 run; Miller 2-for-4, RBi; Jada Voelker 1-for-3, run; Maddie Gummersheimer run; Aiden Dintelman 1-for-2, run; Emma Day 1-for-3, RBI; Raelyn Mechling 3-for-4, RBI