MOUNT VERNON — With a week off since their last game, Mount Vernon softball coach Carisa Frysinger had some concerns heading into Thursday’s matchup with Olentangy Orange. Those concerns were erased quickly as the Jackets pounded the Pioneers, 11-0, in five innings.
The Jackets hit on all cylinders in all phases of the Ohio Capital Conference game. Kylee Marcum tossed a no-hitter, the defense stepped up with some big plays and nine players had hits as the Jackets (2-5 overall, 2-1 OCC) invoked the mercy rule after just five innings.
“We had not played in a whole week and all we focused on was hitting. I think you could tell that tonight,” said Frysinger.
The Jackets pounded out 10 hits on the night, including two from leadoff hitter Raven Farley.
“We were seeing the ball and making solid contact. Everybody hit the ball hard. Those were shots tonight,” Frysinger said.
Farley got the Jackets going early, reaching on an error by Olentangy’s first baseman in the first inning. She then stole second and scored on another error on a ball hit by Karina Shackle. A good play by Orange shortstop Abby Davidson kept things from getting away from the Pioneers.
The bottom of the order helped Mount Vernon kick it into high gear in the second inning, as the Jackets erupted for six runs.
Olivia Starmer started the inning with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch. Orange was able to get two quick outs, but that’s when the MV offense exploded.
Sarah Palm had an RBI double, and then scored on a single by Kate Reynolds. Farley followed that up with a single, and Natalie Scott brought home Reynolds with a single. Farley scored on an error and Shackle belted a run-scoring triple. Marcum drove in Shackle with a single and the Jackets were up 7-0 after two innings.
“It was contagious. We’d see someone rip a shot and it would go from there,” Frysinger said. “We tried to put the ball in play and make them make a play, which they didn’t tonight. And we were aggressive on the basepaths.”
Meanwhile, Marcum was finding her groove on the mound.
She followed that big inning by the offense with a big one herself, striking out the side to begin the third inning. Marcum finished the night with eight strike outs and just one walk while allowing no hits.
“Kylee had a real good game. And the defense made some really good plays to help that no-hitter,” Frysinger said.
Mount Vernon closed the door with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kayla Riley had the big hit in the inning, driving home Lindsey Finnell with a double.
Farley finished the night with two hits and three runs to lead the Jackets. Shackle added a triple, while Riley and Palm both had doubles. Scott, Marcum, Starmer, Finnell, Palm and Reynolds each had a single.
The Jackets will travel to Gahanna this weekend for the Gahanna tournament. They will face Kenton Ridge, Sycamore Mohawk and Hamilton.
“This weekend is huge. Those are all tough games,” said Frysinger.
