Photo: Camryn Wilson
LAKEWOOD - It was a historic day for the Jamestown Community College softball team as they got their first win since the 2010 season when the program was dissolved, splitting the doubleheader against visiting Monroe Community College.
Game 1: Jamestown Community College 5 - Monroe Community College 10
The Jayhawks (1-7, 1-7 WNYAC) were behind early, surrendering two runs in the first. JCC quickly answered, first with sophomore second base Renee Szymanski (Franklinville, NY/Franklinville Jr. Sr. HS) reached on a single. In her first at bat of the season, freshman center fielder Kymi Nance (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk HS) went yard, finding the gap in right field, rounding the bases for JCC to tie the game, 2-2.
In the second inning, the Jayhawks took the lead as Nance put one on a rope down the first base line to the fence, rounding the bases once again for her second home run of the game. In the third inning, freshman first base Abbi Warner (Westfield, NY/Westfield HS) scored on an error as sophomore right fielder Mackenzie Watson (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown HS) reached first, taking a 4-0 lead.
MCC answered in the top of the fourth, driving in three runs to make it 4-3 in favor of JCC. With the base loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning, freshman third base Emily Horth (Little Valley, NY/Cattaraugus-Little Valley HS) was walked, driving in freshman pitcher Samantha Heppel (Angola, NY/Lakeshore Sr. HS) as JCC took a 5-3 lead.
The Jayhawks lost the lead in the fifth as the Tribunes scored a pair of runs. In the seventh inning, MCC tacked on three insurance runs to take game one.
Warner had a great day at the plate, going three-for-three with a triple.
Heppel went the distance in the circle, surrendering six earned runs while getting a career-high seven strikeouts.
Game 2: Jamestown Community College 9 - Monroe Community College 4
Looking to build on the offense from game one, the Jayhawks did just that. With the bases loaded and one out, freshman catcher Gracie Wood (Warren, PA/Warren Area HS) hit a three-run triple to put JCC up 3-0 at the top of the first. Wood's triple was her first of three triples during the game.
After a scoreless second inning, Szymanski laid down a bunt in the third inning, scoring Nance while making it safely to first base. JCC scored their other run of the inning as freshman shortstop Brynn Pagett (Randolph, NY/Randolph HS) hit a sac fly to right field, scoring Wood.
JCC took a 6-0 in the fourth inning as Wood hit a triple to drive Nance in.
The Tribunes would find some offense in the fifth, scoring a pair of runs. JCC quickly answered back in the sixth, scoring a pair of runs themselves. Wood singled to bring home Heppel. On the same play, Nance got the green light to round second and head to third. With the errant throw, Nance continued her way home as the Jayhawks took a 8-2 lead.
In the top of the seventh, JCC added another insurance run as freshman right fielder Jaida Perry (Franklinville, NY/Ten Broeck Academy) laid down a bunt but the throw to first went wide, scoring Horth from third. The Tribunes tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh by adding two runs but would fall short.
Wood went four-for-four in the game, with all four hits being extra base hits. Wood also added a career-high six rbis.
Heppel went the distance yet again in the circle, earning her first collegiate win. Heppel fanned out six hits while collecting six strikeouts.
The Jayhawks will be back in action tomorrow, April 18th, as they travel to Monroe Community College. First pitch is set for noon.
