March 29, 2024

Viking Insider – Weekend Wrapup 3/6/22

4 min read

by Jeff Whitener - Blue Tiger Media

 

The Jefferson College softball team had a very productive weekend, winning four straight games and running their season record to 10-3.

On Saturday the Lady Vikings hosted Missouri Baptist. In game one, Hallie Farris took the circle and pitched five strong innings, giving up no hits and no earned runs as Jefferson run-ruled the Spartans 14-0. The Lady Vikings pounded out 14 hits, highlighted by a three-run homer by second baseman Dani Lindsey in the first and a Kierston Nixon solo shot in the second. Lindsey would finish the game with two hits, 3 runs, and 4 RBI. First baseman Riley Eagan was four for four at the plate, with three RBI and three runs scored. Leadoff hitter Sara Roth set the table with three hits and four runs scored.

Game two was a seesaw affair, with both teams exchanging leads before the Vikings prevailed 9-8 in nine innings. Missouri Baptist tallied a single run in the first before Jefferson stormed back with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Two Viking runs scored on a Spartan error off the bat of Kierston Nixon. Nixon would then score on a single off the bat of starting pitcher Ali Cook. Jefferson would plate another run in the second on an error and tack on three more runs in the third inning. Right fielder Avery Throckmorton hit her first home run of the season, a two-run blast giving the Vikings a 6-2 lead. Missouri Baptist wasn’t done, however, and the Spartans scored six runs in the next three innings to retake the lead 8-7. Jefferson was down to their final three outs. In the bottom of the seventh, third baseman Jenna Roth lead off and was hit by a pitch. Sara Roth laid down the sacrifice bunt, moving her sister into scoring position. Eagan would ground to the shortstop and the Vikings were down to their final out. Dani Lindsey came through in the clutch, tying the game with an RBI single.

In the top of the eighth, Vikings pitcher Kiersten Nixon wiggled out of a two-on, nobody-out situation to keep the game tied at eight. Torri Hinnah doubled in the bottom half of the frame, but the Vikings couldn’t bring her home. Both teams started the ninth inning with a runner at second base. Nixon got a quick out, but the runner advanced to third. The next batter hit a slow roller past the pitcher that was gloved by Jenna Roth and tossed to first for the out. With the runner at third taking off for home, Riley Eagan made a perfect throw to catcher Jamilyn Bagby, who applied a sweeping tag for the third out. With all the momentum going their way,  it was Jefferson’s turn at bat. Sara Roth bunted for a single, leaving runners at the corners with no outs. Riley Eagan sent everyone home happy with a game-winning base hit and a 9-8 Viking victory. Eagan would finish the game going 4 for 5, with three RBI, and a run scored. Center fielder Bailey Shuman was three for four with a solo home run. Kierston Nixon would claim the win in relief of Ali Cook.

On Sunday the Lady Vikings took on the Snappers from Spoon River College. Game one saw Jefferson jump out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of designated player Kiersten Nixon, and a two-run homer from left fielder Kennedy Kohler. The Vikings never looked back, capping a 9-0 win in five innings with back-to-back home runs in the fourth from catcher Tara Haag and Kierston Nixon. Starting pitcher Hallie Farris scattered five hits over five frames, earning her second shutout in as many days. Nixon was two for three at the plate, with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored, and six total bases.

Nixon would make the start in game two, allowing just two hits over five innings as the Vikings blanked the Snappers 8-0. Riley Eagan capped a very productive weekend by going two for two at the plate with two doubles, three runs, and one RBI. Dani Lindsey went two for three with one RBI and three runs scored.

During the four-game, weekend sweep, Viking hitters scored 40 runs and pounded out 47 hits, including eight home runs. Jefferson pitchers struck out 17 batters while walking just 8.

Jefferson is back in action this Wednesday (9th) at Mineral Area College for a doubleheader starting at 2:00 PM.

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