TJ collects 11 hits, overcomes errors in win

By Ashley Chase

MVI Sports

The bats broke through for the Thomas Jefferson softball team as it racked up 11 hits in an 8-4 victory over Albert Gallatin in Section 2-5A play Friday.

After defensive gaffes in the first inning led to a 2-0 Albert Gallatin lead, the Jaguars (3-3, 2-1) settled in. Starting pitcher Alyssa McCormick pitched a complete game, racking up nine strikeouts and allowing just five hits.

“She’s been a great pitcher for us. She works hard, she’s settled down and has a lot of pitches,” TJ head coach Heidi Karcher said.

The Colonials (2-2, 0-2) got on the board in the opening frame on two hits followed by a pair of errors before McCormick struck out back-to-back batters and ended the inning with a popup. 

Trailing 2-0, Thomas Jefferson’s offense went to work, chipping away at the deficit. Paige Truax led off the bottom of the first with a line drive base hit. Taylor Kapac singled aboard and Lily Rockwell walked to load the bases.

Kendall Pielin, who went 2 for 3 with four RBIs, drove in her first run on a sac fly that scored Truax.

After a 1-2-3 top of the second, the Jaguars tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a fielder’s choice by Claire Whalen that sent Emma Stock home.

McCormick struck out the side in the top of the third, before the Jags took their first lead of the game. Savannah Mallozzi knocked in Rockwell to make it a 3-2 game. McCormick struck out three of the next eight batters faced, allowing just one hit and no runs.

In the bottom of the fifth, Pielin struck again, driving in Rockwell to put Thomas Jefferson up 4-2. McCormick pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth.

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