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Jayhawks earn first win since 2010 Saturday against MCC

Photo by Camryn Wilson | Jamestown CC Athletics Jamestown Community College head coach Tabatha Stenstrom speaks to Abbi Warner at third base during Sunday’s NJCAA doubleheader against Monroe CC in Lakewood.

ROCHESTER — Looking to carry over its momentum from Saturday’s action, the Jamestown Community College softball team battled but ultimately dropped a pair of games to Monroe CC on Sunday afternoon.

The Jayhawks (1-9, 1-5 WNYAC) fell behind 2-0 early in the first inning of Game 1 but answered back with two runs of their own in the second. With two runners on, freshman shortstop Brynn Pagett (Randolph/Randolph) hit a single and reached on an errant throw from the Tribunes. On the error, sophomore second baseman Renee Szymanski (Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy) and freshman catcher Gracie Wood (Warren, Pa./Warren Area) scored to get JCC on the board.

Monroe CC was able to score seven runs in the third to open up a 9-2 lead.

JCC tacked on its last run in the fourth inning as freshman centerfielder Kymi Nance (Dunkirk/Dunkirk) scored on a passed ball.

The Tribunes tacked on two more insurance runs in the fifth to win 11-3.

Photo by Camryn Wilson | Jamestown CC Athletics Jamestown Community College’s Sam Heppel pitches to catcher Gracie Wood during Saturday’s NJCAA doubleheader against Monroe CC in Lakewood.

Freshman pitcher Samantha Heppel (Angola/Lake Shore) went four innings in the circle, giving up six earned runs while getting seven strikeouts. Pagett came in relief to close out the game.

MCC kept the momentum going to start Game 2, scoring six runs. JCC answered as Wood hit a three-run home run, driving in Nance and freshman first baseman Abbi Warner (Westfield/Westfield) to make it 6-3. Monroe created separation in the second inning, getting a pair of runs.

The Jayhawks chipped into the lead in the third as Pagett drove in Nance on a single.

Continuing to find their offense, Nance made it 8-6 in the fourth inning, hitting a two-run triple as she drove in Szymanski and second baseman Abigail Minnekine (Little Valley/Cattaraugus-Little Valley). Wood made it a one-run game, bringing in Nance on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Both teams added a pair of runs each in the fifth with the Jayhawks scoring via walks as freshman rightfielder Jaida Perry (Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy) and Warner crossing home plate to make it 10-9.

The Tribunes put the game out of reach over the next two innings, scoring five runs en route to a 15-10 victory.

The Jayhawk rally fell short in the seventh inning as their lone run was scored by Warner on a passed ball.

Warner went 2 for 4 at the plate with three runs while Nance went 2 for 2 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Wood continued a strong weekend going 2 for 5 with four RBIs.

Pagett went the distance in the circle, getting four strikeouts.

Saturday was a historic day for the Jayhawks as they got their first win since the 2010 season when the program was dissolved, splitting a doubleheader with the Tribunes.

The Jayhawks (1-7, 1-7 WNYAC) were behind early in Game 1, surrendering two runs in the first.

JCC quickly answered, first with Szymanski reaching on a single. In her first at-bat of the season, Nance went yard, finding the gap in right field and rounding the bases to tie the game 2-2.

In the second inning, the Jayhawks took the lead as Nance put one on a rope down the first-base line to the fence, rounding the bases once again for her second home run of the game. In the third inning, Warner scored on an error as sophomore right fielder Mackenzie Watson (Jamestown/Jamestown) reached first, taking a 4-0 lead.

MCC answered in the top of the fourth, driving in three runs to make it 4-3 in favor of JCC. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning, freshman third baseman Emily Horth (Little Valley/Cattaraugus-Little Valley) walked, driving in Heppel as JCC took a 5-3 lead.

The Jayhawks lost the lead in the fifth as the Tribunes scored a pair of runs. In the seventh inning, MCC tacked on three insurance runs to take the first game 10-5.

Warner had a great day at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a triple.

Heppel went the distance in the circle, surrendering six earned runs while getting a career-high seven strikeouts.

Looking to build on the offense from Game 1, the Jayhawks did just that. With the bases loaded and one out, Wood hit a three-run triple to put JCC up 3-0 in the top of the first. Wood’s triple was her first of three triples during the game.

After a scoreless second inning, Szymanski laid down a bunt in the third inning, scoring Nance while making it safely to first base. JCC scored its other run of the inning as Pagett hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Wood.

JCC took a 6-0 in the fourth inning as Wood hit a triple to drive in Nance.

The Tribunes would find some offense in the fifth, scoring a pair of runs. JCC quickly answered back in the sixth, scoring a pair of runs itself. Wood singled to bring home Heppel. On the same play, Nance got the green light to round second and head to third. With the errant throw, Nance continued her way home as the Jayhawks took a 8-2 lead.

In the top of the seventh, JCC added another insurance run as Perry laid down a bunt but the throw to first went wide, scoring Horth from third. The Tribunes tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh by adding two runs but would fall short as the Jayhawks won 9-4.

Wood went 4 for 4 in the game, with all four hits being extra-base hits. Wood also added a career-high six RBIs.

Heppel went the distance yet again in the circle, earning her first collegiate win. Heppel fanned out six hits while collecting six strikeouts.

The Jayhawks will be back in action today as they travel to Finger Lakes Community College for a 3 p.m. start.

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