By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After enduring an interminable trip through construction and arriving 30 minutes later than planned or scheduled, Jennings County could have slumped in the bus seats, complained about road lag, and lacked the enthusiasm for the task.
Just the opposite. The Panthers pounced, claws sharpened and slashing, during an explosive first inning. Then they found the energy for two late runs that proved crucial, setting up a potential showdown for the Hoosier Hills Conference title with a key road victory over Bedford North Lawrence.
Scoring five runs in the first inning and fighting off a spirited comeback, Jennings rolled to a tough 8-6 triumph over the Stars on Thursday. BNL (6-15) aided its own demise with four errors, some baserunning faux pas, and five unearned runs. The Panthers (14-4, 4-0 in the HHC) took advantage of the extra outs to continue their climb up the HHC standings. If they can push past rival Seymour on Friday, they will meet Floyd Central (5-0 atop the conference) for the league crown next week.
There’s a lot of innings to be played before that transpires. And after the fast start, Jennings had to survive six more frames that BNL ‘won,’ battling within 6-5 at one point and rallying with two outs in the seventh to make the Panthers squirm. Jennings scored its final two runs with two outs, another key stat following all the BNL mistakes.
”We have to have a better softball IQ,” BNL coach Brad Gilbert said. “We gave them way too many extra bats. But I like the way we fought. Earlier in the year, down 5-0, we would have put our heads down and got run-ruled. I’m pleased we were in the game, we did a lot of things right. We’re still playing hard, but we have to be smarter all the way around.
”As many mistakes as we made, we were right in the game.”
Jennings jumped off the bus and attacked BNL starter Macee Nicholson, cranking out a two-run single by Arian Day and a two-run double by Kate Treadway for the 5-0 lead. Gilbert brought in Karsyn Coleman in relief, and she kept the Panthers at bay, giving the Stars a chance to rally.
“That’s been our MO this year,” JC coach Bobby Willis said. “We’ve come out and scored a lot, ready to hit. The negative part of that is the two zeroes behind that. We got out of ourselves a little. That second pitcher kept us off balance.”
BNL scrambled back with two runs in the third (a booming home run to center by Nicholson) and three more in the fourth. Kali McKee stroked a two-run double, and she rumbled home with a head-first slide following a soft single to left by Jaden Schofield.
Jennings finally cracked Coleman with a run in the fifth (single by Day, double by Ryleigh Sporleder and a run-scoring bunt by Treadway) and another add-on run in the seventh (two-out hit by Graci Ross).
The Stars threatened in the final frame. Sara Williams doubled into the left-field corner and Coleman walked. With two outs, Adalynn Bailey singled, driving home Williams. But the final out was recorded at third base, cutting down a runner as the potential winning run was left at the plate.
“The runs were huge, staying in the game and making sure we scored when we had the opportunity,” Willis said. “Two-out hits were two of those runs. When you go on the road in the conference, it’s tough. So coming out with a two-run win, when you scored with a couple of two-out hits, is the difference. Testament to our kids.”
Day and Sporleder had two hits each for Jennings. Coleman went the final 6 2/3 innings in relief In the circle and struck out six while allowing only two earned runs. Bella Warren saved a run with a slick sliding catch in deep right-center, but the errors set up two many pivotal runs.
“Give Karsyn a lot of credit,” Gilbert said. “She pitched really well.”
McKee was the offensive star for the Stars with two hits and two RBIs, while Bailey and Schofield added two hits each.
”We’re a lot better than we were the first of the year,” Gilbert said. “I like the way we’re trending. We have to put it together and be ready at tournament time. We’re a fun team to watch.“
BNL will compete in the Mustang Invitational at Edgewood on Saturday, facing Shakamak and West Vigo in the first two rounds.
