Jay gets sectional revenge (04/25/07)

The Patriots got a big victory Tuesday, one they hope to be able to repeat if the teams meet again in late May.

Jay County's softball team avenged last season's one-run sectional loss to Delta, scoring a 3-2 win over the Eagles.

After Delta tied the game with a bases-loaded walk in the top of the sixth inning, the Patriots got a bases-loaded single from Amber Edmundson in the bottom of the frame for the win.

"She was due to get a few hits like that," said JCHS coach Jack Wood of the looping hit to short right field, "because her average doesn't reflect how hard she's been hitting the ball.

"Amber's been coming around. She hit the ball on a rope at Marion. I think she ended up 0-for-1 there, but she hit the ball hard."

After the Eagles tied the game with Amanda Wilhelm's walk, they opened the door for Jay County (6-3) when Pazia Speed reached first base on a one-out error.

Morgan Locke followed with a single to center field and advanced to second as Speed beat out the throw to third.

Eagle coach Paul Grove ordered an intentional walk of Lindsey Wellman to set up the force out at home, and the stage was set for Edmundson. She looped a single just over the glove of second baseman Kyleigh Grove for her second RBI of the game.

Delta escaped the inning without further damage, but failed to score after a one-out double by Holly Morris in the final frame.

"It was a very competitive game," said Grove, whose team dropped to 4-6. "I think we have two very evenly matched teams and programs. We've battled in the past, and I'm sure we'll see each other again."

Shae Keller recorded the final four outs for the win as she came on in relief of Edmundson after the game-tying walk. With the bases still loaded, Demi Selvey hit a fly ball to short right field and Morgan Locke charged in to make an excellent running catch.

Keller allowed the double to Morris in the seventh, but struck out Maggie Dely and got Paige Stafford to pop out to catcher Trisha Champ to end the game.

"Amber (Edmundson) had a great performance," said Wood, "but it was definitely nice to have Shae fresh to come in for that last inning and a third."

Jay County played solid defense behind both of its pitchers, forcing Delta to earn both of its runs.

Meanwhile, two of the Patriot runs were unearned, including the game winner.

Their other two tallies came in the second inning when Wellman hit a one-out double to right-center field and Edmundson followed with an RBI single to right.

Ashley Bunch added a single to left field, and an error allowed Edmundson to come all the way around to score.

Edmundson finished a perfect 3-for-3 - she also doubled in the fourth inning - with two RBIs and a run.

"We've kind of been looking forward to this game," said Wood. "Delta's got a nice program, and they're always competitive. ... It seems like we're playing pretty well right now, so we wanted to play a team like Delta to see where we're at."

Morris did her part to keep the Eagles in the game.

After allowing the two runs in the second inning she struck out six batters and allowed just one hit over the next three. Jay County only got its offense going again after the sixth-inning error.

"That's been our Achilles' Heel all season long," said Grove. "With our youth and inexperience, defensively we just have to eliminate errors.

"(Morris) doesn't give up, she stays focused and she does get stronger as the game goes on."

Morris also keyed the Delta offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and an RBI. But, it was her one out that probably made the difference.

With two outs and Ashley Kilmer on first base, Morris ripped the ball deep to right field. The ball landed cleanly on the right-field line but was ruled foul, taking away a likely RBI triple. Morris then flied out to Pazia Speed in left field, ending the threat.

Kyleigh Grove was 2-for-2, and Selvey scored the other Delta run.[[In-content Ad]]