Jay County won an important ACAC game between two one-loss ball clubs and the Patriots declared themselves as favorites in the conference with a 2-1 win in a game that was scoreless through the first five innings.
It was a classic pitchers’ duel between Jay’s Mallory Winner and AC’s Addie Baker on the diamond in Portland. Both hurlers allowed three hits apiece in the first five innings, but none came in the same inning.Â
Adams Central struck first with the heart of their lineup in the sixth. Jenna Cook doubled to left and took third on a fly out by Melina Peralez. Maddie Hill hit a ball hard to Renna Schwieterman that could have broken the game wide open, but the future PFW hoops star made a nice play for the second out.
The Patriots should have gotten out of the inning, but Athena Schwartz’s fly ball to right was not handled by the Jay right fielder and the visitors led 1-0.
Jay County answered right back, however, when Riah Champ doubled and Jozey Shimp homered to dead center to put Jay on top for the first time.
Baker struck the next two batters out, but the Jets went 1-2-3 in the seventh to lose just their second game of the year.Â
The Jets will enjoy the weekend off with Prom scheduled for Saturday and coach Blake’s team will attempt to grab an ACAC win at Bluffton Tuesday.