Jacobs gets past Grayslake North

McKayla Lein was tough when she had to be.

Lein, who gave up 3 runs to Grayslake North in the seventh inning, retired the final two Knights hitters as Jacobs held onto a 5-4 over victory in Fox Valley Conference crossover softball action in Algonquin Wednesday afternoon.

Lein, a hard-throwing left-hander, entered the game in relief of Tori Berg with one out in the sixth.

“It is hard to come into a game in relief,” said Lein. “I was a little nervous. I am just glad we got the win.”

Trailing Jacobs 5-1 heading into the final inning, the Knights plated an unearned run and scored 2 runs on a single by Jordan Bowen. With runners on second and third and one out, Lein struck out Nikki Livengood for the second out and the game ended as Jessica Davis grounded to Jacobs second baseman Nikki Chapa.

“I wanted to get McKayla some work,” said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. “It was a coach’s decision to take Tori out. We didn’t want to burn her out. We are going to need McKayla once the conference season begins. She did a good job getting the last two outs. I am glad things worked out for us and we got the win.”

Jacobs is without senior pitcher Katie Kirker, who is out at least another week with a groin injury.

Berg, who recorded the win, pitched 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits. She struck out 2 with 3 walks.

Jacobs (4-3) scored 3 runs in the second aided by a 2-run triple from Jacquelyn Hengler. The Golden Eagles’ big hit in a 2-run third was an RBI single by Maggie Hansen.

Grayslake North, which scored an unearned run in the sixth, tallied 8 hits in the game. Bowen led the Knights with 3 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI while Kelsey Borders collected 2 hits.

Losing pitcher Kristina Gandy was hindered by 4 crucial Grayslake North errors.

“I wished the bats would have come alive a little earlier, but I like the way we fought late in the game,” said Grayslake North coach Molly Jones. “Our bad defense today is uncharacteristic of the way we usually play defense. We are usually a very good defensive team that makes all the plays. We made some mental errors that also hurt us. We played a little timid today especially defensively.”