Article and photos by T Ray Henry
The Marshall High School softball team celebrated Senior Day on May 12, 2026, as the Lions hosted Dieterich in a non-conference game at the Marshall softball diamond. Prior to the game, Marshall seniors Avery Cornwell, Caitlyn Hilliard, Ella Mattas, Katelyn McNeely, and Lynn Welborn were honored along with their parents. These five seniors have been part of four straight 20-win seasons, captured the school’s only regional championships, and just last week they won the Little Illini Conference title for the second time in school history.
The Lions, who came in with a record of 21-3, were looking to bounce back from a couple games where their hitting was not up to their standards. Facing Dieterich’s ace, freshman Allison Boerengen, who came in with an ERA under 3 while keeping her opponents’ batting average at .264, the Lions wanted nothing more than to break out in a big way as they enter the final two games of the regular season.
Taking the ball inside the circle for Marshall was senior Avery Cornwell, who has pitched outstanding all season. Her 1.72 ERA leads the team, and her control has kept opponents’ batting average at .215.
After Cornwell pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, Marshall got on the board with a run in the bottom of the first when Lauren English singled, advanced to second, then came home to score on a single by Klaire York.
After a scoreless second inning and top of the third, the Lions came up in the bottom of the inning looking to add to their one-run lead. Kyla Gustafson led off by drawing a walk. The Lions then ripped off six consecutive singles by Lynn Welborn, Lauren English, McKenzie Davis, Klaire York, Avery Cornwell, and Ella Mattas which scored four runs for Marshall to take a 5-0 lead. A 2-RBI single by Katelyn McNeely made it 7-0.
Kyla Gustafson walked in her second at-bat of the inning before Lynn Welborn smacked a double to score two runs. Lauren English then singled to score another run before McKenzie Davis stepped into a fast ball and drove it to straightaway center field over the fence for a 2-run home run to make the score 13-0, and the Lions weren’t done. Klaire York walked, and she was replaced on the base path by Abby Engerski. Avery Cornwell singled, then Ella Mattas singled which brought Engerski home to score Marshall’s 14th run of the game. Caitlyn Hilliard brought Cornwell home with the 15th run, then Katelyn McNeely singled for the second time in the same inning to bring in Mattas with Marshall’s 16th run.
With the Lions needing three outs to end the game via the mercy rule, Avery Cornwell got a ground out, a pop out, and another groundout to end the game with Marshall coming out on top by the score of 16-0.
Avery Cornwell picked up the win, going 4 innings, allowing just two hits, walking none and striking out three. At the plate, Lauren English led the attack with 3 hits in 3 trips to the plate, scoring 3 runs and driving in 1. Lynn Welborn (double), McKenzie Davis (2-run HR, 5 RBI), Klaire York, Avery Cornwell, Ella Mattas, and Katelyn McNeely each had 2 hits in a game where Marshall knocked out 16 hits to account for their 16 runs. 14 of Marshall’s 16 hits were singles.
Marshall (22-3) plays their final game of the regular season this Friday when the Lions host Arcola at the Marshall softball diamond at 4:30 PM.
Katelyn McNeely had 2 hits, drove in 3, and scored a run for Marshall on Senior Day versus Dieterich
Avery Cornwell uncorks a fastball against Dieterich on Senior Day
Lynn Welborn smashes a double to the fence in center field during Marshall's 16-0 win over Dieterich
Marshall senior softball players had a great Senior Day in the win over Dieterich
