No comeback for JC

After giving up a comeback in their season opener, the Patriots had a chance to mount one of their own in their first home game. They just couldn’t get the hits they needed to break through.
Jay County loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, but its rally try ended there as it fell 10-6 to the visiting Delta Eagles.
“We were threatening there in the seventh inning,” said JCHS coach Doug Arbuckle, whose team gave up six runs in the seventh inning Tuesday in an 11-10 loss to South Adams. “That was a good job of keeping their heads in it and battling. With a hit or two there we’re right back in the ball game. …
“It just didn’t fall our way. But I was proud of them for making that effort there in the seventh inning.”
The Patriots (0-2) trailed by four heading into the final frame and got back-to-back one-out singles from Katie Aker and Chloe Steigerwalt to put pressure on Delta (1-1). Eagles pitcher Kelsy Dreher recorded a strikeout for the second out before Courtney Finnerty notched an infield single to load the bases.
That brought Betsy Huffman to the plate as the potential tying run, with leadoff hitter Chelsea Tighe, who had tripled in her previous at bat, on deck.
Huffman ripped a line drive, but third baseman Kelsey Logan was able to snag it to end the game.
“Third base is nerve-wracking,” said Delta coach Paul Grove. “You’ve got to have a girl that doesn’t have fear and that has good reactions. That’s why she’s there. She reacts well.
“When you let the tying run come to the plate in the final inning you’re always kind of nervous, but it’s a win and we’ll build from it.”
Delta never trailed in the game, jumping on the Patriots early when Ericka Pursley blasted a two-run home run to left-center field in the top of the first inning. The teams traded runs in the second and third innings before the Eagles took control with five runs in the fourth. Catcher Sarah Snider had the key hit in the frame with a two-run double down the left-field line, and Lindsey Welsh, Logan Bland, Breanna Sizelove and Logan each added singles.
Darby Koger paced Delta by going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Welsh, Bland, Sizelove and Snider added two hits apiece.
While just one of Eagles’ runs was unearned on three JCHS errors, the Patriots also misplayed several fly balls and were indecisive at times defensively.
“I talked to the girls about once again giving teams extra outs,” said Arbuckle. “We’ve just got to clean that stuff up and make the plays that are routine. We’ve got to get those outs. We’re giving teams extra outs and they’re capitalizing on them and scoring runs. We’ve got to shut that down.”
Dreher got the win, giving up six runs — five earned — on nine hits and six walks. Rachelle Jackson suffered the loss for the Patriots as she allowed 13 hits and two walks while striking out seven.
After striking out in her first at bat, Tighe bounced back to go 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI for JCHS. Aker had two hits, two walks and two runs, Finnerty finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI and Huffman droved in two runs with a double in the fourth inning.
Jay County will look for its first win Saturday when it hosts a doubleheader against the Connersville Spartans.
“We took two ... at Connersville last year,” said Arbuckle, “so we’ll have a chance … to get back to .500 going into next week.”
Junior varsity
Jay County dropped a game shortened to just two innings because of darkness 12-1 to the Delta Eagles.
Rachel Antrim suffered the loss as she gave up nine runs on seven hits and two walks.
Victoria Bussel singled and drove in Randi Auker with the Patriots’ lone run. Kortney Davis had the other hit for JCHS.


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