Craft’s complete game, 10 strikeout performance lifts Yellow Jackets to first triumph of the season
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Anika Craft threw a complete game and struck out 10 as the Yellow Jackets earned their first win of the season, a 2-1 victory over Simmons in game one yesterday afternoon (March 4). In the second game of the day, DC was defeated 6-4 by Wheaton.
Game one vs. Simmons
Madison Guggenbiller and Savannah McCoy reached base to start the inning and reached second and third with nobody out but the Yellow Jackets were unable to put a run across in the inning. Natalee Cooper reached on a fielder's choice and Guggenbiller was thrown out at home. Following Cooper, Ali Mowen and Savanah Bergman were retired to end the inning.
The Yellow Jackets struck first in the bottom of the fourth. Savannah McCoy reached on an infield single and Natalee Cooper ripped a double to deep left center which scored McCoy. Mowen and Bergman.
Simmons answered in the top of the fifth to tie the game. The Sharks had runners on first and second with one out and scored the game-tying run on an error. With two outs in the fourth, Simmons recorded their first hit of the game off of Anika Craft.
The seventh inning was full of drama. The first two for Simmons reached and those runners were sacrificed to second and third. Following a walk to load the bases, Craft got out of the jam thanks to two incredible defensive plays. Laney Grimwood threw out the would-be go ahead run at home plate and Guggenbiller snagged a line drive to end the inning.
Ali Mowen, Savanah Bergman, and Laney Grimwood started the bottom of the seventh with walks to load the bases. A few pitches later, Mowen scampered home on a wild pitch to win the game for the Yellow Jackets.
Craft (1-0) earned her first win of the season.
Game two vs. Wheaton
DC carried that momentum into the second game and jumped on Wheaton quickly with two runs in the top of the first. The Thunder responded with the next six to take a 6-2 lead and took advantage of three Defiance errors. The Yellow Jackets fought back, but the rally came up just short as the Thunder made two spectacular defensive plays to halt the comeback.
The Yellow Jackets are back in action this afternoon with games against Marietta and Carthage in Clermont.
