Softball: Nesnidal pitches Jacobs over Burlington Central
Sixteen strikeouts for Abbey Nesnidal is apparently just another day at the office.
Nesnidal, a Jacobs junior and Bellarmine University recruit, mowed down 16 Burlington Central Rockets to match a season-high in a 3-1 victory on Monday.
"Abbey has been great, she's really grown," Jacobs coach Katie O'Brien said. "Losing last season, we really didn't get to see her as a sophomore. As a freshman [in 2019], she was a freshman, so she didn't have to pitch a lot. We had other players that we [could] go to and rely on, so it's been nice to see Abbey in this role."
O'Brien said Jacobs (6-1) has two players currently quarantined for COVID-19 protocols, including a pitcher.
"It's probably [an individual] that we would rely on, but now since we can't, it's actually been really nice to see Abbey step up and take on more of a strong leadership role in the circle," O'Brien said.
Nesnidal pitched a complete game, surrendering three hits and walking three to round out the strong performance in the circle.
"We're a really young team so I think OB [and the coaching staff] have done a great job of just getting us together with our defense and our offense," Nesnidal said. "I think we've done a great job getting ahead [early in games]. It's really helped us. I have a great catcher [Taylor Stennett] behind the plate to help me relax and just throw as hard as I can."
Stennett, a sophomore, was unable to play her freshman season due to the season being canceled.
"All of our team chemistry has just been amazing," Nesnidal said. "These girls are a great group and we work hard together and have fun."
Jacobs took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sarah Lynch led off the game with a double and CiCi DiSilvio followed with a single. Nesnidal knocked in Lynch on a sacrifice fly, which advanced DiSilvio to third. Kaitlyn Wysong then smashed an RBI groundout.
In the fifth, Nesnidal led off with a double, but was out at second on a fielder's choice. Arya Patel then smoked an RBI double for the 3-0 advantage.
The Rockets (4-3) earned a run back in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single from Allison Meyer.
"[Nesnidal] pitched well. Our girls battled...we're young because we start three freshmen," Rockets coach Scott Richman said. "Every day is a learning experience."
Meyer surrendered 8 hits, walked two and struck out one.
"We really only have 10 healthy girls right now and they can all play in multiple positions," O'Brien said. "The best part of this group of kids, is, they understand that they're lucky to play. They're happy to do whatever they can on the days that they get to come out here and play softball."