General 5/24/2023 12:19:00 PM

Jaguar Softball Holds On After Loss & 11 Inning Win

Team sits with 1-1 record at Nationals

SPARTANBURG, SC - The first game of the NJCAA National Tournament for the #9 seed didn't go as planned yesterday as they fell to the #8 seed, Kirkwood Community College, 13-1. The one run for the Jaguars came about in the top of the first inning off of the bat of Ashlynn McPeak when she hit a sacrifice fly that would score Danielle Shuey from third base. Unfortunately, that would be the Jaguar's only run as they weren't able to get their bats going against Kirkwood for the rest of the game. Kirkwood scored 10 of their 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning, 2 more in the bottom of the second, and 1 more in the bottom of the fourth. The game ended in 5 innings, and Kirkwood advanced into the winner's bracket, whereas Danville was sent to the loser's bracket.

The Jaguar's next opponent was the #16 seed Independence Community College, who lost in their first round game to the #1 seed Murray State College, who have an undefeated record of 57-0. The Pirates entered today's game with a record of 25-22 and are from Region 6 in the NJCAA Division II league. Independence jumped on the board early as the home team when they scored their first run in the bottom of the first. Danville couldn't get anything going on offense as the Pirates scored 1 run in each the fourth and sixth inning, making the score 3-0 Independence in the top of the seventh. With the Jaguar's last chance to score, Amaria Wall hit a single to right field which pushed Ashlynn McTagertt to third, and scored Ashlynn McPeak. Hayden Smith then hit a single up the middle infield to score both McTagertt and Wall, tying the game 3-3. Independence couldn't score in the final regular inning, which sent the game into extras. Back and forth the two teams went as the game didn't see any runs scored till the top of the eleventh. With a runner on first base for Danville, a sacrifice bunt was laid down to move the pinch runner, Kennedy Hudson, to second. With the sophomore Beth Pavy up to bat, she was able to single to left field which scored Hudson safely, making the score 4-3 Danville. With two outs, and Ali Grenzebach on from a walk and Pavy on second, Hayden Smith battled a 21 pitch at bat before she finally broke through and hit a 2-run RBI double to left field, scoring both Grenzebach and Pavy, making the score 6-3. Danville held on in the bottom of the eleventh to secure the victory and stay in the National Tournament.

With that win, the Jaguars continue to advance in the tournament and will wait to see the outcome of the rest of today's games to know their next opponent and game time. You can tune into NJCAA Network on njcaa.org to watch all the action with the Jaguars.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Ali Grenzebach: 3B, 2B, C; 5' 1"; Freshman

#26 Kennedy Hudson: OF; 5' 3"; Freshman

#42 Ashlynn McPeak: OF; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#12 Ashlynn McTagertt: Utility; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#7 Hayden Smith: C, SS & 2B; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#6 Amaria Wall: MI & 3B; 5' 4"; Freshman

#11 Danielle Shuey: OF; 5' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#20 Ali Grenzebach
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: 3B, 2B, C

#26 Kennedy Hudson
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: OF

#42 Ashlynn McPeak
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: OF

#12 Ashlynn McTagertt
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: Utility

#7 Hayden Smith
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: C, SS & 2B

#6 Amaria Wall
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: MI & 3B

#11 Danielle Shuey
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: OF