ADA, Okla. -Softball traveled to Oklahoma to face the East Central Tigers in their first double header of the season. In the first game, Newman lost a close 8-11 game. Despite a late comeback attempt by ECU, the Jets took Game 2, 3-2.
How it Happened:
Game 1:
AJ Borja got things started in offense for the Jets with a double to left center in the first at bat for Newman. She then advanced to third on a passed ball. After that,
Lani Dryden earned a walk to put runners at first and third.
Gianna Navarro took advantage of the opportunity and delivered a single to right field to score Borja and take an early lead. Both Navarro and Dryden advanced bases off of a sacrifice bunt from
Madi Canez. Following the bunt,
Alex Schreiner batted in both runners with a double to left center field. The Jets ended the top of the first with a 3-0 lead. East Central responded immediately with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second,
Kayla Lopez recorded the first home run of the season for the Jets with a bomb to right field. A good defensive effort from the Tigers retired the side, only allowing a walk. A walk, three hits and a wild pitch forced Newman to change their pitcher in the bottom of the second, bringing in
Katelyn Westover. The Tigers were able to score two more runs off of an error and a single before ending the second, leaving the score at 4-7. Canez earned a walk to begin the third inning. Then, she advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Reghann Fairbairn hit a single up the middle to force a pitching change from East Central. A ground out to the shortstop by
Tori Waggoner was enough for Canez to score and cut down the difference to two runs. Westover and the Jets defense recorded three quick outs to retire the side and bring the Jets' bats back out.
Hannah Nordby hit a single to center field in the first Jet at bat of the fourth. After that,
AJ Borja got on base with an earned walk. Once again,
Gianna Navarro came in clutch for Newman with a double to right field that scored both runners to tie the game at 7-7. The Tigers answered with a homer in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead again. ECU recorded three quick outs in the top of the fifth to keep their momentum going. A double, a single, and an error led to three Tiger runs in the bottom of the fifth. Borja gave hope to the Jets in the top of the sixth with a double to left center, which later led to a run after a single by Dryden scored her. But a double play by the Tigers' defense stopped the comeback. In the bottom of the sixth, ECU scored their second home run to leave a final 8-11 score.
Makenna Majors entered the game and recorded the last two outs.
Player Notes:
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Kayla Lopez hit the first home run of the season.
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Gianna Navarro went 3-4 with a double, 3 RBIs, and a run.
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AJ Borja hit 2-3 with two doubles and recorded three runs.
Game 2:
AJ Borja continued her great form from Game 1 and started the second game with a single hit to third base. Then, she advanced to second base off of an error by the catcher.
Lani Dryden earned another opening walk to put runners at first and second. Then, she advanced to second on a wild pitch that also advanced Borja.
Gianna Navarro recorded her fourth RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly out to center field that scored Borja's fourth run of the day. In the bottom of the first,
Kinyon DeCorte and the Jets defense only allowed one hit in the four batters they faced. In the top of the second, both
Alex Schreiner and Hannah Norby recorded a hit but that wasn't enough to score another run. DeCorte helped Newman retire the side with three quick outs. In the top of the third,
Madi Canez was able to earn a walk, but it didn't lead to anything. ECU recorded three hits in the bottom of the third, but the Jets were able to hold them off to no runs.
Alex Schreiner hit her second double of the day, this time to left center field to start the top of the fourth. Then she advanced to third off of a sacrifice bunt by
Lauren McNaught. Another bunt by Nordby scored Schreiner to put the Jets up 2-0. In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers were only able to record a double to right field. Newman was able to put two runners on base in the top of the fifth off of a hit by the pitcher and a walk, but they weren't able to score those runners. The Jets were able to hold off the Tigers to no runs in the bottom of the fifth, having runners on second and third. In the top of the sixth, another double by
AJ Borja scored
Lauren McNaught, who got on base on an error by the right fielder. The Jets led 3-0 after the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, DeCorte only allowed a walk and held the Tigers off to no runs. In the last half inning for the Jets,
Gianna Navarro got a single to right center field, but ECU was able to hold her off. Pitching all seven innings,
Kinyon DeCorte was able to hold off the Tigers from coming back, recording a strikeout and helping the defense get two more outs to end the game 3-2 in favor of the Jets.
Player Notes:
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AJ Borja went 2-4 with a double and one RBI.
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Alex Schreiner hit 2-4 adding another double and a run.
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Kinyon DeCorte earned the win, pitching all 7 innings and only allowing 2 runs.
Next Up:
The Jets will hit the road again, playing against Rockhurst, Maryville, Minnesota Crookston, and Minot State in the Washburn Tournament.
