JAY – Senior pitcher Bree Loon threw a one-hitter and as Jay cruised to a 7-0 win against arch-rival Livermore Falls in a Mountain Valley Conference season opener.
Loon retired 20 batters and was on the verge of throwing a no-hitter, but Sarah Hamilton hit a solid single up the middle with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. The lefthander struck out each Livermore Falls starter at least once.
“Bree was definitely a key,” Jay coach Robin Roberts said. “But, I was also pleased with the entire team’s performance. It was harder to (evaluate) the defense because of Bree’s (strikeouts), but we made some good plays.”
Jay (1-0) encountered some offensive shortcomings at the plate as Andies pitcher Danielle Grey was also pitching strong. Grey allowed five hits, struck out three batters and issued one walk. The Tigers seven runs were all unearned.
“Danielle threw a good game,” Roberts said. “She didn’t receive the support in the field and we were able to take advantage. I would have liked to have seen more offense, but we made good contact and hit the ball at people.”
Jay scored two runs in the first, highlighted by a Felecia Floyd RBI double.
Livermore Falls (0-1) settled down after the shaky start as Grey retired seven-straight batters. The Tigers broke through in the fourth on a Castonguay walk. She later scored when Tiffany Couture struck out, but the ball rolled to the backstop and and the catcher’s throw to first sailed over the base.
Jay relied heavily on Loon who fanned the side in the second and sixth inning, respectively.
“There was some thing missing today,” Jay assistant coach Clint Brooks said. “Usually, the atmosphere is different, and it’s more intense in a game between Livermore Falls and Jay. Bree worked a fast game and our kids get a little complacent at times, but they need to keep on their toes.”
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