IN SHORT>> Lady Devils make several mistakes, rebound
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Lady Red Devils were handed their first loss of the season over the weekend in the Lady Goblin Fastpitch Invitational in Harrison.
Eventual tournament champion Bryant handed Jacksonville that loss 4-2, but Lady Devil assistant coach Phil Bradley says the opposite happened, his team handed Bryant the win.
“We gave ‘em every one of their runs,” Bradley said. “We’re not undefeated anymore, but there’s still no one that’s beat us. We gave it away.”
The Lady Hornets only garnered three hits in the game, which was the most in a game off sophomore pitcher Jessica Bock this season, but two throwing errors by catcher Whitney Conrade, and an asleep outfield, gave Bryant all the runs it would need to secure the win.
Both errors came when Bryant was attempting to steal. One throw sailed into centerfield, another to left, and both got by the outfielders and rolled to the fence, and both allowed two runs to score.
Jacksonville rebounded with a 2-0 shutout win over Harrison. Bock piled up another 19 strikeouts in the victory and another no hitter.
The Lady Devils closed the tournament by handing previously undefeated Greenbrier its first loss, 2-1. Conrade atoned for earlier mistakes by picking up the hits that drove in both runs in the game. Her double in the first inning scored Somer Grimes, and her single in the sixth broke a 1-1 tie and became the game winner.
Jacksonville was back at home Monday for a non-conference game against Sheridan. A couple more mistakes gave Sheridan a 1-0 lead, but the Lady Devils tied it in the fifth and scored three in the sixth to prevail 4-1.
Jacksonville’s run in the fifth inning was the only earned run by either team, and was the cause of much controversy.
Whitney Belew entered the game to pinch hit with runners on first and second. She sent a line drive down the right field line that landed fair, but rolled into foul territory, past the temporary fence and all the way to the corner of the main fence.
Both base runners scored easily and Belew was tagged out at home.
After some discussion between the home-plate umpire and the field ump, the ruling was made that it was a ground-rule double.
One run was counted, while Conrade, the runner at first, and Belew were sent back to third and second base and the out at home was erased. Jacksonville couldn’t add another run in the inning, but got three off Sheridan errors in the sixth to secure the victory.
Bock gave up just four hits and recorded a season-low nine strikeouts in the victory. Jacksonville has a 6-1 record on the season.
