Jentsch No-Hits Ducks
HOBOKEN, NY—It was a day of firsts for
Kaylee Jentsch and the Houghton Highlanders' softball team.
After losing the first game of the doubleheader, 6-1, to the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks (18-10, 5-3 Empire 8), Jentsch took control of game two, tossing her first collegiate no-hitter and ripping her first collegiate homerun as the Highlanders (7-15, 1-5 Empire 8) took the second game, 5-1.
The win by the Highlanders is the first time the program has defeated the Ducks since joining the Empire 8 conference.
Jentsch's no-hitter is the first such feat accomplished by a Highlander pitcher since the program began in 2012.
Game One:
The Highlanders opened the game with a bit of productive small-ball, as
Bailey Shattell singled, stole second, advanced on a sacrifice and scored on a ground ball by Jentsch in the bottom of the first.
The score remained 1-0 through the next four full frames, as
Taylor Sile scattered five hits and quelled a Stevens rally in the fourth.
In the bottom of the fifth, however, the Ducks broke through, scoring three runs on three hits. Starting pitcher Olivia Gemma then belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to give Stevens some insurance.
Game Two:
Stevens grabbed an early lead on the Highlanders with a productive run of their own in the bottom of the first; a walk, stolen base, ground out and sacrifice fly gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead.
Both teams then sent the minimum number of batters to the plate until the top of the fourth inning, when the Highlanders put three runs on the scoreboard. Sile doubled to left, plating Shattell with the tying run. A batter later Jentsch gave the Highlanders the lead for good with a deep homerun.
In the fifth,
Jenny Young doubled to left-center, scoring pinch-runner
Kelly Parmeter from second base.
Stevens threatened in the bottom half of the inning after a walk and an error put runners on second and third with only one out, but Jentsch stifled the rally, striking out the next two batters.
Houghton scored again in the seventh when
Katelyn Cook doubled down the left field line and scored on a Shattell single.
Jentsch promptly retired the side in the bottom half of the inning to complete the game.
Shattell and Young each went 2-for-4 in the game for the Highlanders.