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Tigerettes caught in Holliday talons

Wed, 04/14/2021 - 5:00 am

Clutch hitting has not been a problem for Jacksboro’s softball team this year, the bats coming through when they needed to for a number of big innings.

Tuesday night was the exception to the rule, however.

Locked in a battle for first place in District 7-3A and looking to avenge a loss to Jacksboro last month, Holliday came to Tigerette Field loaded for bear in the second round opener. The Lady Eagles struck for three first-inning runs and made them stick while the Tigerettes went 0-8 with runners in scoring position in what was an eventual 4-0 final.

Both squads are now 6-1 in the loop (Jacksboro 20-5, Holliday 23-1). Jacksboro Coach John Bennett said the lack of offense in the clutch was the difference in the contest.

While the loss knocked out dreams of a perfect campaign in the loop, it meant nothing as far as the big picture was concerned in the eyes of the veteran mentor.

“We’re still sitting in the same position we were before the ball game,” Bennett said following the 1:55 affair. “We still have to beat Holliday twice for a district title.”

Holliday strung together three hits and took advantage of an error to stake themselves to the lead it would never relinquish. Jacksboro was able to get runners aboard in five of the seven innings.

Alex Holman was hit by a two-out pitch in the first, courtesy runner Charlie Phariss stealing second before a flyout to left ended the threat.

After Holliday pitcher Addison Lindemann retired the next eight in a row, Rylee Mathis came through with the Tigerettes’ first hit, a single through the box in the fourth before a popout ended the threat.

Holliday added a run in the fifth on three hits and stranded a pair in scoring position.

In the bottom of the inning, Destiny Valles opened with a single to left before pinch runner Ashlyn Nunley was forced at second in place of Jaci Gann, who stole second. The next two hitters were retired to end the rally.

In the Tigerette sixth, Hadlee Richardson laid down a bunt single to leadoff She went to second on a passed ball before the next three hitters were retired to keep Jacksboro off the board.

In the seventh, Jacksboro mounted its biggest threat. Teagan Reynolds reached on an error with Gann drawing a one-out walk. McKenna McAnear then laid down a bunt between three fielders to load the sacks with one gone. It wasn’t to be as the next two hitters were retired to end the game

Jacksboro plays at Bowie Friday and at City View Tuesday. No results were available as of press time.