Josie Duncan of North Union goes through her windup as she prepares to deliver a pitch. Duncan tossed a one-hitter and notched 19 strikeouts as the Lady Cats beat Graham 9-0.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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North Union pitcher Josie Duncan had a stellar game on Monday as the Lady Cats came back from an unexpected break over the weekend.
Duncan struck out 19 batters during a 9-0 victory over Graham.
NU was scheduled to play in the Wendy’s Classic in Ashland over the weekend.
The event, however, was called due to inclement weather.
NU head coach Dawn Draper said the team needed a bit of a break after a long first half of the season.
“Sometimes we need to regenerate,” she said. “A little rest isn’t going to hurt us. “Normally this is where we peak and when you see something like this (the game against Graham) you can’t complain.”
North Union’s ace pitcher made her presence known early in the game as she sat down the first three Lady Falcons, all on K’s.
Draper said her senior pitcher’s focus is razor sharp at this point of the season.
“Jo did a great job,” Draper said. “She is coming out so strong. She is so mentally focused.
“She wants to be on the mound and if she could live there she would. She is doing an excellent job of leading this team.”
The duo of Duncan and catcher Kennady Ruhl continued their dominance of the Falcon batters, notching strikeouts four through six on the next three Graham hitters in the second.
Draper said the two had a good rhythm going throughout the game.
“Kennady also did a great job behind the plate,” she said. “Some of those changeups were coming up low and she did a great job of getting those strikes for us. I mean 19 K’s… anybody would take that. That is a great day of work.”
The Falcons got their first runner on a bag in the third when Jacklyn Fishbaugh laid out for a catch off the grass, but came up just short.
Duncan ended the Falcons’ offense with two more strikeouts to bring her total to eight through three innings.
The Lady Cats took care business at the plate, scoring at least one run in each inning.
“When you score every inning you can’t beat us… that is our goal,” said Draper. “Out of every four batters, we’ve got to get a run across the plate and when we move a runner, that only helps us.”
The Lady Cats accomplished just that as Ruhl plated the Cats’ first run with a double in the opening inning.
Kayla Sedgwick was able to follow suit with and RBI to give the Cats a 2-0 lead.
Draper said the Cats’ ability to hit with two outs has really helped them all season.
“Kayla and Kennady each got us RBIs in the first and that was with two outs,” she said. “We’ve got to start hitting with two outs and when you look at this we are getting that done.”
“So overall, I am very pleased with our kids.”
The game continued in this ebb and flow as Duncan took care of business in the circle.
NU took a 9-0 lead into the seventh.
With Duncan notching her 17th and 18th strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Falcons were able to find their first hit of the game, a double to deep centerfield.
Duncan followed up with a strikeout to end the game.
The win brings the Cats’ record to 17-3.
NU will return to action today at Graham.