DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Adams Central won both games of a doubleheader in very different fashions Saturday, scoring three runs in the sixth to end the first game against South Bend Clay by the run rule, then clawing back from an 8-5 deficit with a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning only to win it in extras against Central Noble. The Jets pushed their record to 15-2 with the Saturday sweep.
Playing in Albion on Central Noble’s home diamond, the Jets got their morning started with a big seven-run rally in the fourth inning against the Colonials. Sydney Jauregui hit a three-run homer and Megan Byerly emptied the bases with a three-run double to left in the inning.
Addie Baker drew the start and held Clay in check until the Jets took the big lead, handing the ball over to Lilli Jackson for the final two innings of work.Â
Jackson allowed just one hit and no runs in relief.
Jauregui ended the first game 2 for 3 with the three runs driven in, while Byerly was 2 for 4 with five RBI.
The top four batters in the Jet lineup (Jauregui, Jenna Cook, Melina Peralez and Maddie Hill) each scored two runs, as did the bottom two in the lineup, Brianna Cook and Josie Zimmerman.
In the second game against Central Noble, the Cougars scored three times in the top of the first against Jackson, who started the game in the circle.
The Jets answered back with five in the second by hitting collectively for the cycle in the inning. Brooke Thomas tripled and scored to leadoff the inning, then Jauregui hit another home run, her second of the day. Jenna Cook followed with a single and Peralez doubled her home to take a 5-3 lead.
Abby Hile answered that with a home run for Central Noble to knot the game at five and the Jets countered by bringing Baker in to pitch the rest of the way. Addie got the next three outs quickly, but Central Noble hit her for three more runs in the fourth.
The Jets continued to trail 8-5 with just six outs left, but Thomas doubled in Peralez, who had reached on an error, to draw the team one run closer.
After Baker set down the Cougars in the top of the seventh, the Jets made two quick outs and were one pitch away from dropping the contest.
Zimmerman kept the game alive with a single to center on an 0-2 pitch, and Jauregui hit her third home run of the day to suddenly tie the game on another 0-2 pitch.
A perfect eighth inning by Baker and a leadoff single by Peralez were followed by another base hit by Thomas, putting two on base. The Jets put the ball in play in the next two at-bats and scored the winning run on a Central Noble error.
Baker threw six innings in game two, striking out six and allowing three runs.
Jauregui was 3 for 5 in game two with five RBI. Brooke Thomas was also 3 for 5.
The Jets will play Parkway and New Haven before hosting South Adams Thursday.