J-M opens up close game for 13-6 win
JEFFERSON – After a slow start, Jefferson-Morgan went into Thursday’s game against Mapletown riding a modest two-game winning streak that moved them into third place in the very competitive ranks of Section 2-A. However, the Lady Rockets knew they were facing a Mapletown team that couldn’t be taken lightly. Despite being on the outside looking in for the playoffs, the Lady Maples boast upsets over Carmichaels and West Greene, and looked to add a win over J-M.
After three tight innings, the Lady Rockets’ defense clamped down and the offense scored at least one run each inning to beat Mapletown 13-6.
“I thought we did what we had to do,” said Jefferson-Morgan head coach Scott Moore. “We have to come out and win. We have to keep winning, and that’s want we did.”
With the score knotted at 5-5 going into the bottom of the third, Jefferson-Morgan second baseman Sarah Olson walked and stole second, and center fielder Ashley Naylor also drew a walk. Both Olson and Naylor advanced on a past ball with Marissa Cameron’s at the plate, and Olson scored on a sacrifice bunt by Cameron to make the score 6-5.
After the Lady Maples put up a goose egg in the top of the fourth, J-M went ahead for good in the bottom of the fourth when starting pitcher Emily Cottle drove a two-run double into right-center field, scoring left fielder Erin Barbetta and shortstop Lindsay Olson, making the score 8-5.
Though the final score didn’t show it, Mapletown head coach Jay Donley was pleased with the amount of fortitude his team put forward in the game and has been showing all year.
“There’s never been a lack of effort and that’s our good point,” Donley said. “Even if the last inning, we went down swinging and they’ve never ever given up. “
Cottle picked up the win for the Lady Rockets. The junior tossed all seven innings, recorded nine strikeouts and two walks while allowing just five hits.
J-M was led at the plate by Barbetta, who went 3-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, and an RBI.
The Lady Rockets also got two-hit performances from catcher Ashley Phillips, who added three RBIs, Lindsay Olson and Naylor.
Miranda Shipley took the loss for the Maples, throwing five innings with eight earned runs.
Mapletown (5-8, 7-8) was led by catcher Christa Grimm, finishing 2-for-4 while driving in a game-high three runs.
Jefferson-Morgan (6-5, 7-6) will be back in action today against Geibel Catholic, which is the first of four straight section games in five days.
The Lady Maples will end their season on Tuesday, May 8, at Carmichaels.