JC softball splits in tournament (05/07/07)

CONNERSVILLE - The Jay County softball team moved its record to 11-4 Saturday. Two of those losses can be blamed on the Connersville Spartans.

The Spartans, hosting the Olympic Athletic Conference softball tournament, ended Jay County's eight-game winning streak 6-0 in the opening round. The Patriots went on to crush Muncie Southside 14-0 in the consolation game.

JCHS also lost 8-1 to Connersville during the regular season.

Unearned runs cost the Patriots in their opening loss after the game was locked in a scoreless tie through four innings. Four unearned runs sparked a five-run bottom of the fifth for Connersville, and the Spartans, who later lost to Anderson Highland in the championship game, added another run in the sixth.

Shae Keller took the loss as she gave up two earned runs on seven hits and two walks.

Morgan Locke had a pair of hits, and Trisha Champ added a double.

Jay County walloped Southside for the second time this year behind an outstanding effort on the hill from Amber Edmundson and some big hitting by Lindsey Wellman.

Wellman hit a pair of home runs, a solo shot in the second inning and a three-run blast to spark a four-run third inning. She finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs and three runs for the Patriots.

Edmundson then hit her third home run of the year, a two-run shot, in an eight-run fourth. She also had a double, two runs and three RBIs.

On the mound Edmundson was nearly perfect, giving up only a bunt single. Catcher Trisha Champ quickly erased that base-runner trying to steal second, and Edmundson finished with eight strikeouts as she improved to 3-0.

Adding to the homers from Wellman and Edmundson were Pazia Speed at 3-for-4 with two doubles two runs and two RBIs, and Morgan Locke with two hits and two runs.[[In-content Ad]]