It started as a typical Jefferson City-Lebanon softball game with the Lady Jays taking an early 3-0 lead, but it didn't end the way Jefferson City is used to.
The Lady Jackets drove in five runs in the third, two in the fourth and two in the sixth on their way to a 9-5 win Tuesday night at 63 Diamonds.
Jefferson City had shut out Lebanon three straight years, all double-digit margins.
"We didn't get those timely hits," Lady Jays coach Zac Miller said. "They had a lot of timely hitting, we didn't get that. We left a lot of runners on base."
Half of Jefferson City's six hits came in the three-run second inning. All nine Lebanon batters came to the plate in the five-run third, recording six of the team's 12 hits for the game.
The Lady Jays loaded the bases in the fifth with no outs thanks to a hit by pitch and two walks, but Gabi McGinty's double over the right fielder's head was the Lady Jays' lone hit of the inning. Alex Gilliland and Hannah Clardy both scored on the play.
McGinty led the Lady Jays' offensive attack with three hits and three RBI. Ashton Glass had a two-RBI double to the left-field corner in the second. She also walked twice.
"A couple of them had a very good game offensively," Miller said. "We've just got to be able to get more on the ball and we've got to have more productive at-bats. That'll come. They're learning."
A popout to the catcher and a strikeout swinging stranded the runner and kept Lebanon ahead 7-5.
"We've got to be able to put the ball in play and put a good swing on it," Miller said. "Be weary of the situation and what she's trying to do to us and adjust."
Jefferson City had runners on the corners with two outs in the first before a double steal attempt ended with a tag out at the plate.
A pair of walks and two passed balls in the fourth gave the Lady Jays runners at second and third, but a strikeout ended the scoring threat.
The defensive highlight of the game came in the top of the fourth when Jefferson City centerfielder Glass chased down a shallow fly ball to make a diving catch, stopping the bleeding in a two-run inning for the Lady Jackets.
"She's going to cover a lot of ground for us," Miller said. "A senior out there with the youngsters surrounding her, she's got a lot on her plate. She's got to be able to cover her ground and then she's got to be able to help them out."
The Lady Jackets had a nice snag from shortstop Emily Morque in the sixth. With a runner at second and one out, Gilliland hit a sharp liner to Morque, who made the grab and doubled off the baserunner to end the inning.
Mychael Jett was in the pitcher's circle for Jefferson City, allowing 12 hits and eight earned runs in seven innings. She struck out six Lady Jackets, walked three and hit one with a pitch.
"One thing we continue to work with her on is ground balls," Miller said. "We want to get those ground balls and to get those ground balls we've got to be able to keep the ball down so her defense can help her out."
Jefferson City (0-1) heads to Columbia today to play Rock Bridge. Game time is at 5:30 p.m.