Yellow Jackets fall in heartbreaker to Green

The Mount Vernon softball team was involved in what could be termed the Game of the Year.

That can make it a tougher pill to swallow when you’re on the losing end.

The Yellow Jackets and Green battled for 11 innings before the Bulldogs finally pulled out a 3-1 victory in the Div. II regional semifinals Thursday at Clear Fork.

“That was a heckuva ballgame,” said Mount Vernon coach Ryan Pentz. “Joce (Scarbury) in the circle had one of the best games I’ve ever seen her throw – 22 strikeouts. That girl pitched her butt off.

“We just couldn’t put it together offensively today. Not sure how you go from hitting seven home runs and being an offensive explosion to struggling at the plate. … It’s the nature of the game. I’ve always said you’ve got to have a little luck, too. When you want to make a run, you’ve got to have a little luck.”

The Jackets (25-5) had won 14 games in a row, including an 18-1 pounding of Teays Valley in the district finals, and were looking to repeat as a state finalist. But Green pitcher Annie Liszewski had a little to say in stopping that run.

Liszewski allowed just six hits and struck out nine, keeping the Jackets at bay most of the game. MV bunted in a run in the second and had a few other opportunities but were unable to dent the scoreboard after the second inning.

Harley Styndl had walked to open the second for MV. Kendall Melton came in to run and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lexi Ringwalt. She then scored on Brooklyn Cook’s sac bunt.

MV had a golden opportunity in the fourth, getting back-to-back singles from Jocelyn Scarbury and Keely Pollard to open the inning. But a pop-out and a big defensive play by Green kept the Jackets from scoring.

“She (Liszewski) hit her spots really well and we struggled adjusting to that. We didn’t square anything. I think Jocelyn’s hit down the right-field line was probably the squarest ball we hit. And the foul ball. She threw in and out really well and kept us off balance,” Pentz said. “We couldn’t get a run in. We tried to bunt one in. The bunt was a little hard and we didn’t get a great break at the bag, but you can’t put it on that. You’ve got to put it together at the plate. We need to put runs on the board other ways too.”

Scarbury, who struck out the first six Green batters and nine in a row at another point, was finally touched up in the top of the seventh. A single, walk and stolen base gave the Bulldogs a chance with runners on second and third. A sacrifice fly to center field plated the tying run and sent the game to extra innings.

Both pitchers remained in command until the 11th when Green’s Brooklyn Wood homered to right field to take the lead. The Bulldogs added another run and then began the celebration three outs later.

Scarbury finished with 22 strikeouts, while allowing just four hits and one walk. Gabby Beck pitched the final two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout.

Scarbury also led the team offensively with a double and a single. Cook also doubled, while Pollard had two singles and Hailey Rudrick had one.

“It’s been an incredible run, the second half of the season. They really focused in on making a run in the post-season,” Pentz said. “After that second Licking Valley loss, they made their focus to make a run. I loved that they made a focus because it would have been easy after that Licking Valley game for them to tank their season. They didn’t and credit to them. They worked hard and they refocused themselves to make a run and had a great second half of the season.

“It’s a small class (of seniors – just three) but they’ve been special. Two four-year lettermen (Rudrick and Miranda Oswelt); a three-year lettermen (Layla Joyner). They’ve been great leaders. I’m really proud of them. Looking ahead, it’s strong. I’m looking forward to next year. We’ll regroup and get it back together.”