Lady Jays hold off Spartans in softball

The Battle Spartans had a chance to do some damage in the top of the fifth inning.

Alyssa Schulte and the Jefferson City Lady Jays didn't allow that to happen.

With the bases loaded and one out, Schulte - along with the help of her defense - got out of the inning unharmed and Jefferson City went on to claim a 9-2 win Tuesday against Battle at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.

"That was really big," Jefferson City head coach Lisa Dey said. "That's kind of like taking the wind out of your sail."

Battle (8-9) delivered three straight singles with one out, but came up empty-handed as the Lady Jays improved to 9-3 on Senior Night.

"The biggest thing was, I had to stay relaxed and trust my defense and just throw my best pitches and hope that it works," said Shulte, who lowered her ERA to 1.82 on the season.

The Spartans, trailing 6-2 at the time, tried to scratch a run across on a wild pitch, but Jefferson City catcher Brooke Rozier made a diving attempt to beat the runner to the plate and record the second out of the inning.

Schulte (5-3) walked the next batter, before inducing a ground ball to end the frame.

"It's very big to keep the lid on the can," Rozier said. "You don't want to let it all out and I was very proud of us for holding it down and getting the outs we needed to get without letting them score."

Jefferson City had another clutch defensive play in the top of the fourth when freshman shortstop Alex Gilliland threw out a runner at the plate for the second out of the inning. The Spartans ended up stranding two baserunners in the frame.

"I think that was kind of the turning point," Dey said. "That was really big right there."

Schulte allowed one earned run on eight hits, while striking out three and walking two to earn the complete-game victory. The junior threw 22 pitches, 18 for strikes, through the first two innings without giving up a hit and had similar results in the final two innings.

"I will give Alyssa a lot of credit," Dey said. "They have some great hitters up and down the lineup."

Battle didn't do itself any favors. The Spartans committed seven errors and stranded eight baserunners, while dropping to 8-9 on the season.

"That was not characteristic of Battle," Dey said. "That's a very good ballteam. They are better than what they performed tonight."

Emily Williams and Taylor Dey both drove in two runs, while Hannah Hirschvogel and Krista Brickey were both 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead Jefferson City at the plate.

Katie Tambke had three hits and Rozier added an RBI double for the Lady Jays, who tallied 13 hits.

"I think it is one of the best executed (offensive performances) we've had this season - kind of putting the small ball in with some hits," Lisa Dey said. "I think getting that leadoff batter on was key and just doing the little things - even if it was just getting one run, getting one run. That adds up."

Jefferson City scored one run in the first, second and fifth innings and plated two in the third, fourth and sixth.

Battle, which has lost four games by one run this season, scored two runs in the top of the third to tie it, but that's all Schulte and the Lady Jays would allow the rest of the way.

Prior to the game, Jefferson City recognized Rozier, Brickey and Darby Brundage for Senior Night.

"I love being able to help the seniors out, because I know this is a very emotional night for them," Schulte said. "I'm glad they got the win."

Jefferson will return to action Friday in the Kewpie Classic.