DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
MONROE – With the wind blowing out Saturday for a doubleheader between Bishop Luers and Adams Central, it was always going to be about limiting damage the Jets’ pitching staff did just that, outhitting their opponents for a pair of victories ahead of a busy approaching week.
Both teams had no problem getting runners aboard in the early going of the first game, with the score after three innings standing at 8-7 for the visitors.
Adams Central with Lillie Jackson in relief for the start of the fourth inning and it turned out to be the winning move as she held the Knights to just three hits across four innings of relief. She struck out six and picked up the victory.
The Jets tied the game up at 9-9 in the bottom of the fourth with a couple of singles by Melina Peralez and Jackson, along with three Luers errors.
With Jackson keeping Luers off the basepaths, the Jets simply needed to wait for their RBI machine, Peralez, to come back around in the batting order.
After Izzy Isch and Audrey Eisberg got base hits to bring Peralez up, she delivered a two-run double to seal the victory in the bottom of the fifth.
Jackson allowed a two-out hit in the sixth and in the seventh, but shut the door quickly to stay out of trouble.
Peralez was 4 for 4 and knocked in five runs, while Jackson and Isch each had two RBI.
Jackson then kept the ball and pitched a complete game in the late afternoon game, striking out eight and picking up a second victory on the day.
The Jets won the game 9-6 and just three of the runs charged to Jackson were earned.
With the wind growing stronger throughout the day, the stage was set for Peralez and Jackson to show off their strength with the long ball.
Luers scored five times in the top of the second inning to take a 6-0 lead, but two pitches into the bottom of the second, Peralez made it 6-1 with a bomb to center field (see photos above).
She led off the bottom of the fourth with a double and later scored. That’s when Jackson matched her teammate with a home run to center of her own to cut the lead to one run.
The Jets strung together five hits with two outs, culminating with another RBI hit by Peralez to give the home team the lead.
Peralez capped off her big day with another home run, knocking in herself and Jenna Cook, who walked to lead off the sixth.
The Jets have a big week ahead as the weather turns warmer for the second half of April.
Monday the team will host Norwell for a game set to be broadcast on WZBD, 92.7 FM
Tuesday they will host Manchester for a 5:30 p.m. game.
Thursday will see the Jets open ACAC play with a traditional doubleheader with the baseball team at home against Southern Wells.
Friday Adams Central will across the state line to take on Parkway.