Jacksonville’s Alyvia Woods smashes a triple to key a 14-run inning in a 15-0 win over Decatur Eisenhower in Jacksonville on Tuesday.
Dennis Mathes | Journal-Courier
Jacksonville pitcher Kenzie Law delivers a pitch during a softball game against Decatur Eisenhower in Jacksonville on Tuesday.
Dennis Mathes | Journal-Courier
The Jacksonville softball team erupted for 14 runs in the second inning, and Kenzie Law pitched a four-inning one-hitter as the Crimsons rolled to a 15-0 win over Decatur Eisenhower on Tuesday.
With the win, Jacksonville snapped a four-game losing streak against some of the Central State Eight’s better teams. The Crimsons improved to 5-8.
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After going down in order in the first inning, Jacksonville batted around twice in the second. The Crimsons scored 14 runs on five singles, six walks, two doubles and a two-run triple by Alyvia Woods that jump-started the big inning.
Woods swung the biggest bat on Tuesday, recording two hits in the pivotal second inning. Battling a slump lately, she said support from her teammates makes all the difference.
“You just kind of have to have confidence in yourself,” she said. “With the team supporting you, it’s so helpful.”
Woods was patient at the plate. Her triple came on a 3-1 count. On her second hit in the inning, she fouled off seven pitches before she found one she liked, singling past the second baseman to keep the inning going. She said it was the longest at-bat she’s ever had — or seen.
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“It was pretty stressful, honestly,” Woods said, smiling. “I was just trying to put the ball in play.”
Jacksonville scored four more runs after Woods’ second hit.
Woods, Maci Moore and Malin Camerer had two hits apiece to lead the Crimsons. Moore and Chase Neice each hit a double.
“I think the team as a whole did really, really great,” Neice said. “We’ve been doing a lot of live at-bats at practice and a lot of front toss, and practicing high tees and low tees and weighted balls, and I think that it’s all come together really nicely for us. We’ve been hitting the ball solid.”
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Law was in command in the circle. Her fastball, cutter, drop pitch and changeup were all working on Tuesday. She struck out three batters and didn’t walk anybody, and let her defense work.
“Infield did amazing,” Law said. “Really grateful for my outfielders because they saved what could have been a few hits. But all in all, it was great.”
A leadoff single by Eisenhower in the fourth inning spoiled the no-hitter.
Neice, the team’s catcher, praised the Crimsons hurler.
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“She did really good today,” Neice said. “We were working with some different pitches that she doesn’t normally throw against some other teams, and she hit her spots really, really well.”
Four of Jacksonville’s five wins have been by eight runs or more. After being on the receiving end of some of those scores over the years, it’s nice to be on the other side.
The Crimsons hope to ride the momentum from Tuesday’s win as they begin the second half of the season. The Crimsons were to have hosted West Central on Wednesday.
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“It feels amazing,” Woods said. “I’m so happy to have a day like today.”