Jackets pick up two more victories
MOUNT VERNON — The rain came down on Saturday afternoon, but it could not slow down the Mount Vernon High School softball team from picking up two victories. The Yellow Jackets improved to 3-0 on the season by defeating Bishop Watterson, 5-3, in the first game, while knocking off Licking Valley, 10-5, in the second game.
Tricia Gentry got the ball rolling in the first game for Mount Vernon, as she hit a two-run triple to give the Yellow Jackets a one-run lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Eagles managed to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning to force extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Yellow Jackets got things rolling on offense once again. Mount Vernon was able to take advantage of a walk-off two-run double to seal the 5-3 victory.
“Things went pretty well for us in the first game,” said Mount Vernon head coach Carisa Groves. “We had a lot of great work on the mound today. Bailee Marcum had eight strikeouts on the day for us.”
The Yellow Jackets kept the momentum going into the second game against Licking Valley, as they got their offense going early. They were able to pick up three runs in the first inning, taking advantage of two walks to began the inning. Kaitlin Campbell followed with a two-run double to get the scoring going.
After giving up five runs in the top of the second inning, Mount Vernon was able to fire back once again. Campbell added an RBI in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 5. Once again, Gentry was able to spark the offense as she knocked a three-run home run over the left-field fence to give the Yellow Jackets and an 8-5 lead.
The rest of the game belonged to Campbell, who put together a strong performance on the mound after entering the game in the second inning. She did not allow more than four batters per inning the rest of the way. That was just the performance her team needed as the Yellow Jackets held on for the 10-5 victory.
“(Kaitlin) Campbell was definitely a big factor for us today,” said Groves. “She did a very good job once she took the mound early in the game. She also did a good job at the plate, as she finished 8-for-8 on the day. She really did a great job.”
For the Yellow Jackets, it seemed to be a matter of waiting for that big inning, then finally, taking advantage of it.
“Sometimes it just takes a while to get things started for us,” said Groves. “Once we do, the hitting almost seems to be contagious. It is just a matter of being able to get that first hit.”
One that seemed to always be there getting the hit was Gentry.
“She had some big hits for us today,” Groves said. “She really came through for us when we needed runs.”
For Groves, these wins are what she feels are the beginning of something bigger.
“I really feel that we have a special team this year,” said Groves. “We have a lot of talented players who have a true love for the game of softball.
“It’s hard to imagine just how far we may be able to go if we keep playing like this. I think contending for the league is definitely a possibility.”
Mount Vernon will return to action this afternoon as they host Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division foe Westerville South. That game is set to begin at 5 p.m.
