Back in business (04/18/07)

Amber Edmundson jolted the Patriots from their slump.

Jay County was limited to seven hits and just a single run in losses to Olympic Athletic Conference rivals Connersville and Anderson Highland in its last two games. But with Tuesday's game deadlocked at one, Edmundson drilled a three-run home run to put Jay County in control on the way to an 8-1 victory over the visiting Daleville Broncos.

"That is what we've seen during summer league out of Amber," said JCHS coach Jack Wood, whose team evened its record at 2-2. "She really came into her own this summer. That's the way she was hitting the ball. ... We know she's capable, she just needs to cut her swing down a bit."

Edmundson's first-career blast, which came after a pair of errors, cut down the Broncos' chance at their first victory of the season.

After being on the wrong end of six unearned runs against Highland and Connersville, Jay County turned the tables on Daleville. All of its eight runs against Bronco starter Kristin Waechter were unearned.

"It's what we talked about last year," said second-year Daleville coach Jeremy Middleton. "I told them, 'Every time you let people on base for no reason, somebody is going to make us pay for it.' And that's exactly what happened. That inning and that home run turned the tide."

Morgan Locke and Amanda Alberson opened the second inning by reaching base on back-to-back errors, and Locke was retired at third base on a fielder's choice from Ashley Bunch.

Alberson and Bunch then moved up to second and third bases respectively on a passed ball, setting the stage for Edmundson. The junior unleashed a smash, which cleared the fence just to the left-field side of the Patriot scoreboard.

Jay County added unearned runs from Trisha Champ in the third and fifth innings. The junior ripped a one-out double in the third and came in to score thanks to back-to-back errors, then reached on an error to lead off the fifth and scored on a double by Pazia Speed.

The Patriots also got good production from the leadoff spot. Kaelee Keller started and had a hit, a run, a stolen base and a successful sacrifice bunt, and then Brittany Mann pinch hit in the sixth inning and added a single and a run.

"We hit the ball pretty well," said Wood. "We had some good timely hits. We really needed that game.

"I think we needed it for confidence. The next three games (against Huntington North, Norwell and Marion) are all pretty tough."

The seven Jay County hits combined with six Bronco errors and several wild pitches and passed balls for the seven-run margin.

Middleton said he was satisfied with Waechter's effort, just not the defense behind it.

"All we ask of our pitchers this year is to throw strikes," said Middleton of the sophomore. "I told them, 'If you throw strikes, we've got to take care of you.' And we didn't take care of her tonight. She did her job."

Edmundson was on the mound for the Patriots for the first time this season and turned in a solid outing.

She gave up just one unearned run in the first inning as she allowed six hits. She gave up three walks and struck out six batters, including five out of six spanning the first through third innings.

While Jay County committed three errors, it also turned in several big defensive plays. Right fielder Morgan Locke and shortstop Lindsey Wellman connected on two of those, forcing out runners at second base following singles to right field in each of the last two innings.

Locke also made a nice running grab of a shot off the bat of Daleville No. 3 hitter Jordan Adkins to end the game.

"I think after four games, I saw the girls make some smart choices out there (tonight)," said Wood. "Morgan Locke played exceptional defense. She was all over in right field, covering everything, coming up with throws. We're really starting to think, from a softball mentality."

Waechter scored the only run for Daleville after drawing a walk in the first inning. She also had a single, and Jordan Higgins added a pair of hits from the No. 9 spot in the order.[[In-content Ad]]