Danielle Robbins of Jonathan Alder slides safely into third base against Columbus Bishop Hartley. Robbins helped lead the Lady Pioneers to a 10-0 run-rule verdict over the Hawks. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The Jonathan Alder softball team had to make adjustments to its approaches at the plate against Columbus Bishop Hartley.
Head coach Dave McGrew knew exactly what had to change.
“During the first few innings, we were getting under everything and popping up a lot,” he said.
That changed over the final two frames as the Lady Pioneers (2-0) clubbed the Hawks into submission, 10-0, in five innings.
Alder scratched out a pair of runs over the first two innings, but left three runners on base during critical at-bats.
Popups to the infield quickly ended Alder’s threat of adding to its lead.
The fourth and fifth innings, though, were much different as eight scores led to the run-rule verdict on a chilly, breezy afternoon.
JA senior pitcher Marlee Jacobs threw the team’s second no-hitter in as many games for the young season.
She fanned six batters and the only blemishes to her line score were three walks during the initial trio of frames.
The Lady Pioneers took a 1-0 lead in the home half of the opening inning.
Danielle Robbins led off with a base hit and scored on Evan Platfoot’s single.
Jacobs drew a walk and was replaced by courtesy runner Abby Middendorf.
Hartley pitcher Becca LeMay, however, induced a pop-out, coaxed a fielder’s choice and finished with a strikeout to strand Platfoot and Middendorf.
The Lady Pioneers took a 2-0 edge with two out in the second.
With one down, Abby Bush earned a free pass.
Lily Walker was safe on a fielder’s choice and then swiped second.
She gave Alder a 2-0 margin when she scored on Robbins’ triple.
A flyball out left Robbins on third.
Jacobs led off Jonathan Alder’s portion of the third with a walk.
Middendorf was once again called upon as the courtesy runner,
She, however, stayed on that bag as LeMay got a flyball out and fanned two batters.
The adjustments made by the Lady Pioneers began to pay dividends during the home half of the fourth.
Lizzie Lombardi led off with a walk and advanced to second when Bush put down a sacrifice bunt.
Lombardi scored when Walker beat out a sacrifice bunt for a hit.
Hartley mishandled the throw to first, which allowed the speedy Walker to stretch her legs all the way to third.
Robbins singled in Walker for a 4-0 margin and went to second and then third on two more Hawk fielding miscues.
Platfoot’s base hit brought in Robbins for a 5-0 Alder advantage.
Jacobs retired the Hawks in order with strikeouts in the top half of the fifth.
Kyle King led off Jonathan Alder’s portion of the fifth by drawing a walk.
She was lifted in favor of courtesy runner Kiersten Dolby.
King’s free pass chased LeMay from the pitching circle.
The Hartley starter was replaced by southpaw Reese Beatty.
Lombardi put down a sacrifice bunt and was safe on a subsequent error.
Lombardi eventually swiped second to put runners at second and third.
Beatty fanned a batter.
An error off Walker’s bat enabled Dolby to speed home for a 6-0 lead.
JA climbed to an 8-0 advantage when Robbins reached safely on yet another Hartley miscue with the gloves.
Platfoot left Jonathan Alder just one run shy of ending the game early when her single gave the home squad a 9-0 spread.
Jacobs then made sure everyone went home early when she doubled in the final score of the game.
“We got on top of the ball and drove it during the last couple of innings,” said McGrew. “That was the difference in the game.”
Another change was the temperature from JA’s opening game of the season.
“We won (11-1 over North Bay Haven) on Saturday in Florida,” said the Alder coach. “It was in the 70s there.
“Man, it’s cold today.”
McGrew also praised Jacobs and a error-less Pioneer defense.
“Marlee pitched well,” he said.
Hartley 000 00-0 0 7
JA 110 3 5-10-7-0
WP: Jacobs
LP: LeMay