Photo - Owain Jones
RUSSELL, Pa. – Playing their games across the border at Werner Park, the Jamestown Community College softball team battled hard but ultimately fell in a pair of games against Erie Community College Tuesday afternoon.
In game one, the Jayhawks (0-6, 0-6 Region 3) fell by a score of 3-2 with game two ending in a score of 10-8 as the rally fell short.
Game 1: Erie Community College 3 – Jamestown Community College 2
JCC was led offensively by center fielder Angelique Palacio (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) who went three-for-three at the plate including a triple and a home run. Catcher Sydney Dahl (South Dayton, NY/Pine Valley) accounted for the Jayhawks' other hit.
In the first inning, Palacio hit a triple with one out before Dahl was able to drive her home on a single to go up 1-0.
After four scoreless innings of action, Palacio jacked one over the left center field fence to hit her third home run of the season to put JCC up 2-0.
The Kats rallied in the seventh inning, scoring three runs to take the game.
Pitcher Jamaladie Pacheco (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk HS) went the distance in the circle, surrendering two earned runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
Game 2: Erie Community College 10 -Jamestown Community College 8
JCC was led offensively by Palacio and Dahl, each recording a pair of hits while Palacio hitting a double and triple in the game. Palacio also led the way with three RBIs. First base Savanna Krystofiak (Brocton, NY/Brocton HS) also hit a double in the game.
After a scoreless first inning, the Jayhawks got on the board in the second as third base Jena Vacanti (Brocton, NY/Brocton HS) drove home designated player Cassidy Vincent (South Dayton, NY/Pine Valley HS) to take an early 1-0 lead.
ECC went onto score eight runs over the next three innings of play, including five in the third, to take the 8-1 lead.
Facing an 8-1 deficit going into the top of the sixth inning, the Jayhawks rallied to tie the game after a seven-run explosion. Krystofiak started the rally, hitting a two-run double to bring home Dahl and shortstop Desiree Nelson (Window Rock, AZ/Window Rock HS). With bases loaded and one out, Pacheco drew the walk to bring home Vacanti to make it 8-4.
With a hot bat on the afternoon, Palacio came to the plate and hits a bases-clearing three-run triple to drive home Krystofiak, Pacheco, and second base Emma Lindsey (Ripley, NY/Chautauqua Lake Central) to make it 8-7. Dahl drove in the game-tying run on a single to bring home Pacheco.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Kats drove in two runs to secure the win.
Pitcher Lindsey Spitz (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown HS) earned the loss in the circle, going two and two-thirds innings where she gave up five earned runs on six hits. Pacheco went the rest of the way, surrendering four runs on four hits.
The Jayhawks will regroup as they host Mohawk Valley Community College this Saturday, April 15th, at Werner Park with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
