By THE HERALD-WHIG STAFF

Barb Crist hadn't planned to use Mackenzi Fairley Thursday afternoon

The Quincy High School softball coach wanted to rest her ace pitcher for Saturday's Western Big Six Conference doubleheader against Rock Island Alleman.

It turned out the Blue Devils needed Fairley a little bit earlier than anticipated.

Christina Goehl pitched six innings of shutout softball against Illini West before Fairley blanked the Chargers for seven more innings. QHS finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the 13th inning to win 1-0 on its home field.

"It was a pitcher's duel for a while," Crist said. "Christina pitched great for six innings and then Mackenzi came in and worked hard for seven more innings. Behind them, we had a complete team effort."

Illini West pitcher Kaci Ellefritz held the Blue Devils to only two hits in the first 12 innings. QHS's Stephanie Schwartz led off the bottom of the 13th by reaching on an error and was sacrificed to second base by Jordyn Mecklenburg. Lindsey Womack singled up the middle to score Schwartz for the game-winning run.

Fairley struck out 10 batters and allowed two hits in her appearance. Ellefritz finished with 14 strikeouts and only one walk for Illini West (11-3). Christina Bostrum had four of the Chargers' five hits.

It was the fourth game in as many nights for the Blue Devils, who are off today to prepare for Alleman.

"We've played a lot of softball this week," Crist said. "It was good to win this one today to get ready for this weekend."