JC falls short vs. Tigers (05/08/03)

PORTLAND — A day after being no-hit for the third time this season, the Jay County softball team managed just two hits against the Bluffton Tigers Wednesday. It was almost enough.

The Patriots scored a pair of unearned runs in the fourth inning, but fell short in a 3-2 loss to Bluffton.

“It was enough that we should’ve still been playing,” said Jay County coach Harold Towell, pointing to a missed opportunity in the first inning. “We needed to get that run.”

Bluffton scored two of its runs in the first inning as each of its first three batters reached base. Leadoff hitter Lisa Vanderkolk drew a walk from Jay County starter Ashleigh Myers, Leah Robles knocked a single, and Chrissy Tudor got on when the ball escaped catcher Kristen Spahr after a strikeout.

Vanderkolk went to second on a steal and third on a wild pitch before scoring on the single by Robles. She took a similar path, stealing second and third before scoring on a wild pitch.

The Patriots had a chance in the bottom of the first with Saffron Redwine on second base. However, Bluffton starter Ashley Reineck retired the next three batters to leave Redwine stranded.

The Tigers (9-8) scored another run in the second inning as Reineck earned a leadoff walk. She scored three batters later when Vanderkolk delivered a two-out RBI double which turned out to be the game winner.

“It’s a darn good thing (we scored early),” said Bluffton coach Rick Mettler. “We pressed as the game wore on, trying to score four runs all at once. Then we started popping the ball up.”

Bluffton had runners in scoring position in the fourth and fifth innings, but couldn’t capitalize. Meanwhile, Jay County did take advantage of a big error by Robles.

The Tigers’ second baseman misplayed a grounder by Renae Laux to start the inning, and Stephanie Imel immediately delivered and RBI double. Imel advanced to third on a ground out by Felisha Parr, and Chelsea DeBoy brought her in with another ground out.

The two-run frame cut the lead to 3-2, but Jay County would not score again. It had runners on base in the fifth and sixth innings, but couldn’t bring them around.

Then freshman reliever Jeni Johnson entered after Reineck was drilled in the leg by a line drive off the bat of Laux. Johnson wasted little time, retiring all six batters she faced to finish the game and preserve the win for Bluffton.

“She’s got five varsity starts for us,” said Mettler of Johnson. “We got her in the fire early, and she’s a pretty cool customer.

“(Reineck) threw a good game. She’s pretty tough.”

Reineck got the victory, allowing two unearned runs on two hits in five innings. She walked one and struck out one.

Ali Ridgway went 3-for-3 with a pair of stolen bases for Bluffton, and Vanderkolk was 2-for-3 with a double, one run, one RBI and a stolen base.

Robles had one hit, one run, one RBI and a pair of stolen bases.

Imel and Laux each had a hit and a run for Jay County. Imel also drove in a run, and DeBoy had the other RBI.

“We wanted to hit so bad right now,” said Towell, “and it showed. That’s mental as much as it is physical right now.”

Myers took the loss for the Patriots, allowing three runs on five hits in four innings. She walked tow and struck out two.

Ashley Cook allowed a pair of hits in three scoreless innings. She retired the final seven hitters she faced.

Jay County will play its third game in three days at home today against Anderson Highland at 4:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]