Patriots split with Connersville (04/07/08)

inated the opener, but couldn't dig out of a big hole in the second game as it split a conference double-header Saturday.

Jay County's softball team rolled in the first game, defeating the Olympic Athletic Conference rival Connersville Spartans 7-1. But the home team scored five times in the second inning of game two as it built an 8-0 lead en route to handing the Patriots an 8-3 defeat.

Amber Edmundson had a big day all around for the Patriots (2-1, 1-1 OAC), including a second-straight excellent performance on the mound in game one. After shutting out the Delta Eagles in Thursday's season opener, the senior held Connersville to a single run on seven hits and three walks.

She struck out four batters, and has a 0.50 ERA thus far.

Edmundson also gave herself the only runs she would need, ripping a two-run double in the first inning. Jay County extended its lead with a four-run third inning, which including a bases-clearing three-run double by Tiffany Davis.

Davis finished with two hits and three RBIs. Trisha Champ added two hits, a run and an RBI, and Pazia Speed had two hits and a run.

Connersville (1-2, 1-1 OAC) tagged Davis for seven runs - four earned - on eight hits and two walks in the first two innings of game two. Brittney Watson kept the Patriots in the game - she gave up just an unearned run on four hits in five innings while striking out five - but they could not overcome the deficit.

Edmundson led the offense, going 2-for-2 with a double. The only other hits came from Davis and Champ. Kendra Younger, Alex Bunch and Selena McKibben each scored one run.[[In-content Ad]]