ABERDEEN, S.D. (NewsDakota.com)- It was the long awaited season opener that both Jamestown and Valley City softball had been waiting. Two weeks to the day of what was supposed to be game 1, The Jays and Hi-Liners took to the field under The Presentation College Dome in Aberdeen to play for the first time this year.
Valley City had to fend off two late rallies to earn wins 3-1 and 5-4. Both teams now have quick turn arounds with each playing games in their respective regions starting Tuesday. The Hi-Liner will play on turf again when they face Shanley.
Senior catcher Lexi Ondracek says the team feels better headed into Fargo having already played 2 games
Jamestown will also be on the road heading to Bismarck, coach Mike Soulis says The Jay will need to hit the ground running to make an impact in The WDA
They will play The Bismarck High Demons.
Game 1: Valley City 3 vs. Jamestown 1
Jamestown starter Payton Gall was perfect though 3 innings before Valley City put up 2 runs in the 4th and added another run in the 5th. The Jays were able to get runners on the bottom of the 7th and scored their only run before The Hi-Liner’s Hailey Schaefer recorded the final out.
Both pitchers had solid first starts. Gall went all 7 innings allowing 5 hits with 3 runs and 8 strike outs. Schaefer struck out 10 over 7 innings.
Game 2: Valley City 5 vs. Jamestown 4
Valley City sent 8 batters to plate in the 1st and pushed across 4 runs behind 2 RBI hits from Lexi Ondracek and Erin Anderson. The Jays were able to get runners on but couldn’t advance them past second base. They finally broke out in the 5th inning when they strung together 4 straight hits. Olivia Nihill and Payton Gall both had run scoring hits making the game 4-3.
Kacee White brought home an insurance run in the 6th with an infield single. Gall lead off the 7th with a triple and Jamestown was able to load the bases. McKenna Jackson drew a one out walk to make it a one run game. A force at home and strike out ended their comeback.
Becca Thompson earned the win for Valley City pitching 5 innings with 6 punch outs. Hailey Schaefer pitched 2 innings of relief. Alex Nihill went all 7 innings for The Jays, she recorded 6 strike outs.