Stormed in seventh (04/20/06)

After four innings the score book read “Shae Keller 1, Huntington North 0.”

Keller led off the game with a hit and scored the only run of the game to that point almost single-handedly. She was also going toe-to-toe with one of the best pitchers in the state, shutting out the potent Viking lineup.

Through six innings she still had the Patriots in the game, trailing just 4-1. But the Huntington North bats came alive the third and fourth times through the lineup and exploded for 10 runs in the final frame. That added to Katie Hackney’s 19-strikeout effort for a 14-1 Viking victory over the Jay County softball team.

“For four innings, we were kind of in control,” said JCHS coach Jack Wood, whose team is now 4-6. “Shae had them off balance, pitching very well. And in the fifth inning it all started with two outs.”

Keller had given up just two hits in the first four innings, and had two outs with a runner on first thanks to a walk in the fifth. Then Huntington North racked up five consecutive hits, including a two-run single from Amber Clark and a two-run double by Hackney.

Jay County escaped the inning when catcher Trisha Champ tossed to Amber Champ to catch Karise Okuly trying to steal second base. The home team was still in the game after a one-two-three sixth, but could not touch Hackney and the Viking bats went wild in the seventh.

Half of the 14 hits for Huntington North (4-0) came in the seventh inning, including a two-run home run from Hackney. It sent 14 batters to the plate to score its 10 runs and break open the once-close contest.

“It took us a little while to get going ... It took us a little while to settle down,” said Viking coach Paris Seibold. “It seemed like we were pushing a little bit. But we settled down and scored some runs when we needed to.”

Hackney finished with her two extra-base hits, four RBIs and a run. Brandi Gower had three hits, including a double, and three runs, Sundling went 4-for-5 with three runs and Clark added three RBIs.

The late offensive explosion backed up Hackney’s outstanding pitching effort.

The sophomore, who set Huntington North’s career strikeout record during her freshman season, didn’t allow a base runner after the first inning. She struck out eight in a row during one stretch and capped the game with seven straight strikeouts, breaking the Vikings’ single-game record with 19.

“We just couldn’t catch up to (Hackney),” said Wood. “She’s one of the best around.”

“She is one of the top pitchers in the state, there’s no doubt,” Seibold added. “She’s very difficult to hit. At that distance, you almost have to guess where the ball is and hopefully she throws a strike and hopefully your bat’s in the area.

“I was kind of shocked when the first batter from Jay County comes out and rips a shot. I was thinking, ‘Uh, oh.’ She has a good bat.”

That bat belonged to Keller, who began the season near the bottom of the batting order but has jumped to the leadoff spot thanks to an average which is hovering around .500.

The junior started the game by smacking a single to left field and moved to second base on a wild pitch. She stole third base on ball four of a two-out walk by Chelsea DeBoy, and scored when the errant throw to third went into left field.

But the Patriots never got on base again, and only put the ball in play twice after the first inning. DeBoy, the only Patriot who didn’t strike out, hit a fly ball to center in the fourth, and Saffron Redwine grounded out to third base in the fifth.

In addition to her early offense, Keller was also excellent on the mound through the first four innings. She held the Vikings scoreless, despite errors allowing leadoff hitters on base to start the second and fourth innings.

She made a tremendous catch on a line drive right back up the middle to end the third inning, and got some help as Trisha Champ threw out a would-be base stealer in the first.

Although the final score didn’t show it, Wood praised the improvement Keller has made from the 2005 season.

“Her all-around game and her confidence ... I see a level of confidence in her that we didn’t see last year,” said Wood. “And she’s getting a lot more opportunities this year. She’s maximizing her performance and really taking advantage of it.

“I think mentally we’ll bounce back. Hopefully we play a good ball game (today) and Saturday.”[[In-content Ad]]