Softball 3/11/2021 12:23:00 PM

Jaguars Drop Two Games to #8 Kirkwood in Late Innings

McTagertt Homers, Smith continues Hitting Dominance

DANVILLE, ILLINOIS – The Jaguars had their first tough matchup of the season, hosting #8 Kirkwood on Wednesday night.  The Eagles ended up winning both contests 7-2 and 14-9 respectively.

Game One

Alexia Ham got the start in game one against the Eagles. Ham got into trouble early but was able to escape the Eagle threat until the 3^rd and 4^th innings when the Eagles plated 6 runs to go up early.

The Jaguars responded in the bottom of the 4^th with a two-run shot to CF by Ashlynn McTagertt; however, the Eagles were able to add another run in the top of the 5^th by a Jaguar miscue that ultimately decided the final score 7-2 after 7 innings.

The Jaguars were held to 6 hits in the contest, Kelly Smith was perfect at the plate again going 2-2, Ashlynn McTagertt was 1-3 with a HR.  Kylie Neuman, Shayla Mills, and Danielle Shuey picked up one hit respectively.

Alexia Ham went 3.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned runs.  Ham struck out 3 and walked 6.  Hannah Forrest relieved Ham for the rest of the game, Forrest went 4.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs.  Forrest struck out 6 and walked 1.

Game Two

The Jaguars started off hot, jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the first couple innings.  The Eagles struck back in the 5^th after. Hitting a grand slam to put them up 6-3 heading into the bottom of the 5^th.  Lady Jaguars responded immediately, plating home 6 runs to go ahead 9-6 moving into the later innings.  It was the Eagles who capitalized on Jaguar walks that ultimately decided the game.

Kayla West started the game and was electric through 4.2 innings, she struck out 7 eagle hitters, but surrendered 8 walks.  She gave up 3 hits, 6 runs and 4 earned runs.  Kerrigan Shafer relieved West, going 0.2 innings, striking out 1, walking 1, giving up 4 runs.  Alexia Ham pitched 1 inning, walked 4, struck out 3, surrendered 2 earned runs.  Hannah Forrest closed the game with 1 struck out, giving up 2 hits and 2 runs.

Coach Cervantes on the day, "I am impressed with our competitiveness and grit.  Our girls responded against a very tough Kirkwood squad.  They are #8 in the nation for a reason and it showed; however, we are right there with them.  I believe tonight showed we can and will compete with the best teams in the country, we need to work on our in-game strategy and cleaning up some defensive miscues, but ultimately our squad proved we are a top contender in the nation.  I know our pitchers did not have the best day, but to their credit taking on #8 in the country our second time out in the season and striking out one of the best offenses in the nation a total of 21 times in two games shows the potential and growth our staff gained tonight.  I am extremely proud of our team, the competitiveness and grit, along with our chemistry is starting to poke through, we have something very special here. Our schedule is compacted with tough teams off the gate and we will need to use this loss tonight to help us prepare for the rest of our season."

The Jaguars will now shift their focus to Kaskaskia College on Tuesday, March 16^th when they will host the blue angels in double header beginning at 3pm and 5pm.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Kelly Smith: INF/ UT; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#23 Alexia Ham: P/UTL; 5' 6"; Freshman

#3 Shayla Mills: OF; 5' 7"; Freshman

#10 Kylie Neuman: MIF/OF; 5' 5"; Freshman

#14 Kerrigan Shafer: P; 5' 10"; Freshman

#12 Ashlynn McTagertt: MIF/UTL; 5' 5"; Freshman

#15 Danielle Shuey: OF/UTL; 5' 3"; Freshman

#19 Kayla West: P/UTL; 5' 5"; Freshman

#21 Hannah Forrest: P; 5' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#20 Kelly Smith
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: INF/ UT

#23 Alexia Ham
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: P/UTL

#3 Shayla Mills
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: OF

#10 Kylie Neuman
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: MIF/OF

#14 Kerrigan Shafer
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: P

#12 Ashlynn McTagertt
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: MIF/UTL

#15 Danielle Shuey
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: OF/UTL

#19 Kayla West
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: P/UTL

#21 Hannah Forrest
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: P