The Altamont Lady Indians Are Class 1A Softball State Champions; First Team State Title in School History

The Altamont Lady Indians are the Class 1A State Softball Champions after they defeated the Trico Lady Pioneers 2-1 at East Peoria in the title game Saturday afternoon.  

The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. 

Deidre Ledbetter (left) and Lauren White (right) pose with the Lady Indians State Championship trophy.

The victory gave Altamont its first-ever state championship in a team sport.

The game was scoreless until the top of the 5th, when Trico took the lead on a solo home run off the bat of Emily Bauersachs.

Altamont responded in the sixth when Lauren Ohnesorge singled and then scored on a line drive home run by Lauren White to give the Lady Indians the lead and ultimately the win. It was White's fourth home run of the season, but her second at the State Tournament. She and Lauren Ohnesorge's back-to-back homers in the semifinal game helped give Altamont a 3-1 win on Friday.

Altamont Coach John Niebrugge gives Lauren White a hug as she gets her state championship medallion.

Meanwhile, Altamont's Deidre Ledbetter pitched another great game, allowing one run on just four hits, walking no one and striking out 10. Ledbetter allowed just one run on five hits in the Friday win and fanned 15.

Altamont completes their championship season with a 29-4 record.

Here are the stats on Saturday's championship win:

Josie Phillips--single; Deidre Ledbetter--single; Lauren Ohnesorge--single, run scored; Lauren White--home run, single, run scored, 2 RBI; Alex Teasley--single

Members of Altamont's first-ever state championship team are Madison Ohnesorge, Josie Phillips, Deidre Ledbetter, Lauren Ohnesorge, Lauren White, Alex Teasley, Nikki Tharp, Brooks Burns, Audrey Winters, Chandra Smith, Shelby Sims, Erica Higgs, Claire Voelker, Maddison Siggers, Margeaux Stuckemeyer, Arianna Kopplin, Shelby Phillips, Swayze Laffoon, Bailee Merkel and Gabby Wharton.

Joining Varsity Coach John Niebrugge on the staff are Assistant Coaches John Ledbetter, Bryan White and Doug Winters. Sue Poe serves as Scorekeeper.

A reminder of the Welcome Home for the Lady Indians Sunday at 1:30pm in Altamont Community High School Gym. Our own Matt Robinson will serve as Emcee for the ceremony.

Sciota West Prairie won the Class 1A third place game, defeating Amboy, 4-0.