Mineola overcomes obstacles for win

Posted 4/13/23

Rescheduled, especially moved and rescheduled, softball and baseball games often offer something unique. On a wet evening last Thursday, the Mineola Lady Jackets traveled to Grand Saline and defeated …

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Mineola overcomes obstacles for win

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Rescheduled, especially moved and rescheduled, softball and baseball games often offer something unique. On a wet evening last Thursday, the Mineola Lady Jackets traveled to Grand Saline and defeated Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill 10-7.  

The elements certainly helped to create the variety of plays which unfolded on the diamond. The game featured a classic run-down, a hard-chopped ball which bounced clear over the third baseman, a handful of defensive gems including a shoestring catch and a great play from behind the plate, and three home runs – one traditional long ball and two inside the park home runs.

What dominated the first inning was the drizzle and the problems it caused the Chapel Hill pitcher. After Jadelyn Marshall set the Lady Devils down in order in the first, Mineola put up six runs in the bottom half.

Mineola benefited from the inability of the Chapel Hill pitcher to control a wet ball. Her first two pitches flew far back to the screen. Mineola took advantage of six walks in that first inning to take a 6-0 lead. Base hits by Jocelyn Whitehead and Jorja Young boosted the rally.

The Lady Devils recouped a run in the second with an infield hit and an RBI-triple. Despite a second Whitehead-lined base hit, the Lady Jackets did not score in the second. 

Each team added two runs in the third. Chapel Hill scored on an inside the park home run which began as a very high pop-up just in front of the plate.

Three Lady Jackets converged on the ball, but in the end, it fell at their feet. A throwing error trying to get the base runner then allowed the bases to be cleared.

The Lady Jackets used two Texas-leaguers from the bats of Lexie Miller and Young to score on a wild pitch and a throwing error, respectively. After three complete, the score stood 8-3 Mineola.

Despite Mineola’s (the home team) efforts to keep a dry ball provided to each pitcher, Chapel Hill continued to struggle from the mound. The Lady Jackets added two runs in the fourth, each time scoring on a passed ball.

Chapel Hill opened the fifth with a legitimate inside the park home run into the right field corner. They led off the sixth with a 220’ blast over the centerfield fence for a round-tripper. 

The home run was one of the best hit balls of the game. The other was a smash in the sixth by Lady Jacket Allie Hooton who rocked a pitch into left field which rolled to the fence. It was a stand-up double.

Mineola swapped outs for runs in the top of the seventh to secure a 10-7 win.

Marshall went the distance for Mineola and effectively fought through the conditions. She gave up seven hits, struck out 12 and issued fours walks. 

To wrap-up the regular season, the Lady Jackets travel to Harmony on Friday and host Winnsboro on Tuesday, April 18.