Jaguars open with W

Star Beacon

June 07, 2008 02:15 am

— CORTLAND — The Ohio Jaguars 18-and-squad began their 2008 season on a positive note on Friday night, winning their opener in the Valley Extreme National Qualifier at Bazetta Park’s Field 8.
The locals knocked off the host team, Valley Extreme, 3-2.
Jenn Tennant earned the win on the mound, working the final four innings, allowing 3 hits, two runs (1 earned), striking out two and walking three. Starter Megan Dragon worked three shutout innings, allowing one hit, striking out three and walking one.
The Jaguars got on the board in their first at-bat as leadoff hitter Katie McMellen drew a four-pitch walk, was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Hannah Francis and scored on an RBI double to right-center by Courtney Francis.
The speed of Lauren Childs accounted for the Jaguars’ second run as she beat out a two-out bunt for a single, stole second and scored when the errant throw got past the center fielder for a 2-0 lead.
The locals made it 3-0 in the fourth when Hannah Francis hit a leadoff single to center, went to second on a wild pitch, third on a ground ball by Courtney Francis and scored on an RBI grounder by Callie Busch.
Valley Extreme broke through for its two runs in the top of the fifth, one coming when leadoff hitter Brittany Stevenson beat out a bunt single to drive in the second run.
However, ahead by a run with the bases load and two outs, Tennant induced a ground ball to shortstop McMellen, who threw the batter out at first to end the threat.
The locals snuffed out a Valley Extreme scoring threat in the first when left fielder Erica Villa threw out a runner at the plate with a strong throw for the second out.
McMellen had a hit, a run, a walk and a stolen bases for the winners, while Hannah Francis had a hit, a run and two sacrifice bunts, Courtney Francis had a double and an RBI, Busch had an RBI and Childs had a hit, a run, a steal and a sacrifice bunt.
Dragon threw 39 pitches in her three innings of work, 25 (64.1 percent) for strikes. Tennant (1-0) threw 66 pitches in her four-inning stint, 40 (62.5 percent) for strikes. The duo combined for 105 pitches, 65 (61.9 percent) for strikes.
Poland’s Liz Maher took the loss on the mound, being relieved by Lakeview’s Abbey Bensing in the fourth.
The Jaguars (1-0), managed by Scott Francis and coached by Jay McMellen and George Dragon, will resume pool play today at 8 a.m. against Tigerlillies and at 11 a.m. against Valley Extreme Red. Championship play will be held on Sunday at Candelight Knolls.