Softball: Jacobs blitzes Crystal Lake South with big 6th inning

Outburst, explosion.

Those two words aptly describe Jacobs' 8-run sixth inning, which propelled the Golden Eagles to a 9-2 win over Crystal Lake South in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division softball action in Crystal Lake Monday afternoon.

'It was a really close game through five innings," said Jacobs coach Katie O' Brien. "South is a very good team and it was nice to break the game open. We had a lot of long at bats in the inning which lasted 6, 7 and 8 pitches. Everybody in the lineup, especially the bottom of the lineup, really swung the bats well."

Aided by 4 Gator (9-9, 3-3) errors, Jacobs (6-8, 3-3), collected 5 hits in the pivotal sixth.

The keys hits were provided by Kerri Healy and Teaghan Richman, who each had 2-RBI singles. Sarah Murray, Alexis Addante and Jessica Mrzlak added run-scoring singles for the winners.

"We really put it together in that inning with good at bats," said Healy. "We hit the ball very well and came up with some clutch hits."

The sixth inning was a tough one to swallow for Gator coach Scott Busam.

"It was an embarrassing and disastrous inning," said the Gator coach. "We would make a mistake and then Jacobs would hit the ball hard. We had so many chances to get out of the inning with limited damage."

The Gators dented the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI-single by Maddie Bush.

Jacobs, which collected 10 singles in the game, tied the game in the fourth on a run-scoring single from Katie Armstrong. South regained the lead at 2-1 with a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Taylor Kassel.

Brittany Feldmann, who retired the last 8 hitters she faced in the game, allowed 2 runs while scattering 8 hits in 7 innings. She struck out 2 and hit a batter.

The Eagles' defense was flawless and didn't commit an error behind Feldmann.

"Brittany did a great job of getting out of some jams," said O' Brien. "Brittany really settled in and pitched great. Our defense was outstanding. We made all the plays behind Brittany."

Healy (2 RBI) and Armstrong (RBI) paced the Golden Eagles' offensive attack with 2 hits apiece.

Leaving 7 runners on base, the Gators were led by Carly Chovanec, Kassel and Bush, who had 2 hits each.