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Jersey Softball In Regional Championship
Jones’ game-winner gave Claire Anderson the win over Highland’s Sam Miener in what turned out to be an outstanding pitching duel.
“Highland is an excellent team,” said Jersey head coach Chelsey Cmokrak. “We have faced them two times this year, and the first time we played them did not go how we wanted, and the second time we played them, we had some injuries, so we wanted another shot at them, and today was our day.”
The Panthers have used the name of a conditioning drill as a team motto throughout the season, and it certainly came in handy during the game.
“We have had a motto all season,” Cmokrak said. “It’s a conditioning exercise we call “Bring Sally Up.” And they know that’s the end of our practice, they’re going to fight through it, and go as hard as they can. So, that’s kind of been our motto in the seventh inning all season, that it’s time to bring Sally up, and we have not quit in one game this season. So even if we lost, we still battled in the seventh, so we did that today, again.”
Both teams had chances throughout. Highland had an opportunity in the third, when Lexy Gilliam singled to start the inning, was sacrificed to second by Sydney Parkenson, and went to third on a single by Nicole Knackstedt. But Gilliam was called out on interference, and Lily Garbett popped out to second to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth, Jordyn Fields led off with a single for the Bulldogs, went to second on a one-out single by Gilliam, and with two out, Knackstedt reached on an error to load the bases. Garbett flew out in foul ground to the left fielder that ended the chance.
The fateful bottom of the seventh started when Maag was hit by a pitch, then Lauren Rexing drew a walk. Grace Sharich struck out and Anderson flew to right, but Maag tagged up and went to third on an alert play. Jones then followed up with her single over the second baseman’s head to score Maag with the game’s only run as the Panthers won 1-0.
Anderson scattered five hits and struck out one, while Miener also pitched a great game for Highland, allowing four hits while fanning seven.
The Bulldogs end their season 12-12, while the Panthers improve to 23-11, and now face Columbia, who defeated East St. Louis in the other semifinal, on Friday in the final, starting at 4:30 p.m. Cmokrak is looking forward to the final.
“We’re going for the championship, right here on our own field,” Cmokrak said. “We’re going to give Columbia everything we have; they’re another good ball club, and it’s going to be another good game.”