The Lady Jays Softball season started Monday with an impressive win vs COC Large foe Branson. Game temperature at first pitch was 99 degrees, and the pitching was hot as well. Marshfield starting pitcher Paige Taylor pitched a complete game shutout vs a very good Lady Pirate team. Paige was in control the entire game averaging only 10 pitches per inning while walking none and striking out 6. Branson managed only 3 hits the entire game and Marshfield’s defense was near perfect. Branson’s starting pitcher was hot as well. Both pitchers set down the first 7 opponent batters in a row.
It was the top of the 3rd when Branson’s Cassidy Ulrich beat out a throw in the dirt at first to reach safely on a throwing error. Ashley Carder then singled and it was runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 out. Gracie Jaeger hit the ball hard down the 3rd base line but Shelby Choate was there and tagged out the lead runner at 3rd. First and second 2 outs. Then Ashlea Large singled to left but Branson could not score from second. Bases loaded two outs. Tino Stevens grounded out short to first and the Lady Jays dodged the bullet!
The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the 4th when with 1 out Shelby Choate rocked a double over the head of the centerfielder. Lexi Hume was up and hit the ball hard but it was chased down by Cassidy Ulrich in right field. With two outs the Lady Jays got the big hit they needed. with a 2-2 count Marshfield’s Skyler Collison ripped a sharp single into left center scoring Choate from second. Lady Jays lead 1-0.
From there Taylor retired 9 of the next 11 batters, and no Lady Pirate made it past second the rest of the evening. The Lady Jays added 3 more big insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th. Sidney Adams drew a lead off walk then stole second. After Crafton popped out, Shelby Choate singled, we had runners on the corners. Shelby stole 2nd on the next pitch and with runners on 2nd and 3rd Lexi Hume ripped a hard hit right over the bag at first that ended up in right field. Hume had a 2 rbi double. Tabitha Weber come in to run for Hume and she scored on a single by Ashley Clair.
Marshfield starts the season 1-0. Branson is 0-1.
Marshfield will travel to Springfield Hillcrest on Tuesday- game time 5:30.
The Lady Jays will also play in the Morrisville Tournament on Friday night at 8:15. We hope to announce scores on Friday as we are covering the Marshfield/Republic football game. Depending on how it goes we may be able to call some of Saturdays action, we will just have to see.
CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Gorham and her Lady Jays and GOOD LUCK throughout the rest of the week! http://data.iscorecentral.com/iscorecast/htmlplayer.php?g=9df881b7-3d33-4d59-b797-75f3537b635b
