Golden Eagles hold off Gators
Sara Jacobson enjoys the opportunity to show off her arm.
The Jacobs center fielder got two chances Tuesday. And both were right on target.
Jacobson cut down two runners at the plate to help the Golden Eagles rally for a 3-2 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division victory over Crystal Lake South in Algonquin.
"It's what you wait for as an outfielder," said Jacobson, a junior. "I always hesitate back and try to get some momentum. When the throw is right there you feel perfect."
The Gators (14-5, 2-2) had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first inning. Sam Hardie hit a fly ball to center. Jacobson made the catch and threw a strike to catcher Cassy Bencal to nail Tori Maule, who was a courtesy runner, at the plate by more than 10 feet for a double play.
In the third inning, Hardie tried to score from second on a single to center off the bat of Jess Hausl. Jacobson again came up firing to the plate to get Hardie and keep the Gators' lead at 1-0.
"We don't play Jacobs in blowout games very often. It's always going to come down to one or two runs," Gators coach Scott Busam said. "If I think I have a shot to get a run across, I'm going to take it."
"It wasn't that deep. When she went, I was like, 'All right, I'll throw it again,'" Jacobson said.
The solid defense kept Jacobs (9-8, 3-1) in the game and allowed sophomore pitcher Marissa Lombardo time to settle down. The Gators had the bases loaded in the first and second innings and a pair of baserunners in the third, but managed to get only 1 run. Lombardo set CL South down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth, including striking out the side in the fifth.
Lombardo (4-2) finished with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. She allowed 2 runs on 5 hits.
"(Lombardo and Bencal) got on the same page, found out what was working for them," Golden Eagles coach Jeremy Bauer said.
The Golden Eagles finally got to Gators pitcher Emily Mahoney in the sixth inning. Trailing 1-0, Jacobs loaded the bases with one out. Kara Arceneaux drove in a run with a hard-hit single off the second baseman's glove. After a flyout, Amber Livingston drew a walk to bring in a run. Gigi Mueller also brought in a run with an infield single as the Golden Eagles took a 3-1 lead.
The Gators' Vicki Pyan hit a solo home run with two outs in the top of the seventh for the final score.
Mahoney suffered the loss, giving up 8 hits and striking out five.
"One inning continues to hurt us," said Busam, whose team lost its second straight 1-run game. "We have good pitching. We have good hitting. We have good defense. But we're having a hard time putting all three together on the same night."