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03-28-2012, 08:56 PM
After losing five key players to graduation, Mercy Academy softball coach Josh Bloomer heard some people doubting his 2012 squad during the preseason.
“Word was out that we were going to struggle to put runs on the board, and I kind of heard that and was like, ‘Eh, I like what I’ve got,’ ” Bloomer said. “We’re not at our peak offensively … but we’re putting runs on the board.”
The Jaguars continued their early-season onslaught Tuesday, pounding out 10 hits in a 10-1 victory over visiting Male.
Mercy (8-0), ranked No. 4 in the state, is averaging 7.6 runs per game and has reached double digits three times. The Jaguars won the Tri-State Officials Association Tournament at Meade County on Saturday, beating No. 8 Central Hardin 6-0 in the final.
“We feel like we’re pretty deep, and we have to continue to get better,” Bloomer said. “But we’re pleased with how we’ve started.”
J.J. Francis led Mercy on Tuesday, striking out eight and allowing just one hit over four innings to improve to 6-0. The Murray State University signee was 2 for 3 at the plate, with a triple and three RBIs.
Senior Morgan Ellington and freshman Jordan Vorbrink also had two hits apiece. Vorbrink was among several youngsters in a Mercy lineup that included three sophomores and three freshmen.
“We are young, but they’ve fit in perfectly,” Francis said. “We’re definitely a family here, and we’ve come together. We work together really well.”
No. 10 Male (5-1) finished with just two hits.
“We know we can play with (Mercy),” Male coach John Hammond said. “We’ve had some great games with them. But our pitching was off a little bit today, and our sticks didn’t get going. We’ll be back.”
Mercy, which scored in each of the first four innings, took a 5-0 edge in the third on Francis’ two-run triple to right-center.
The Jaguars put it away in the fourth, scoring five runs with two out. Morgan Meyer, Ellington, Vorbrink, Francis and Caroline Keck had RBI hits in the inning.
“It kind of snowballed on (Male) a little bit,” Bloomer said. “If we play them again tomorrow, I think it’s probably a one- or two-run game.”
Meanwhile, Francis was keeping Male’s hitters off stride by working the outside of the plate.
“If you miss across the middle with Male they’re going to hit it hard,” Bloomer said. “They’re an aggressive-swinging team, and (pitching) a team away makes them be more patient.”
Junior Hayley Twyman relieved Francis in the fifth and allowed an unearned run and one hit in three innings.
http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...-1?Avis=B2
“Word was out that we were going to struggle to put runs on the board, and I kind of heard that and was like, ‘Eh, I like what I’ve got,’ ” Bloomer said. “We’re not at our peak offensively … but we’re putting runs on the board.”
The Jaguars continued their early-season onslaught Tuesday, pounding out 10 hits in a 10-1 victory over visiting Male.
Mercy (8-0), ranked No. 4 in the state, is averaging 7.6 runs per game and has reached double digits three times. The Jaguars won the Tri-State Officials Association Tournament at Meade County on Saturday, beating No. 8 Central Hardin 6-0 in the final.
“We feel like we’re pretty deep, and we have to continue to get better,” Bloomer said. “But we’re pleased with how we’ve started.”
J.J. Francis led Mercy on Tuesday, striking out eight and allowing just one hit over four innings to improve to 6-0. The Murray State University signee was 2 for 3 at the plate, with a triple and three RBIs.
Senior Morgan Ellington and freshman Jordan Vorbrink also had two hits apiece. Vorbrink was among several youngsters in a Mercy lineup that included three sophomores and three freshmen.
“We are young, but they’ve fit in perfectly,” Francis said. “We’re definitely a family here, and we’ve come together. We work together really well.”
No. 10 Male (5-1) finished with just two hits.
“We know we can play with (Mercy),” Male coach John Hammond said. “We’ve had some great games with them. But our pitching was off a little bit today, and our sticks didn’t get going. We’ll be back.”
Mercy, which scored in each of the first four innings, took a 5-0 edge in the third on Francis’ two-run triple to right-center.
The Jaguars put it away in the fourth, scoring five runs with two out. Morgan Meyer, Ellington, Vorbrink, Francis and Caroline Keck had RBI hits in the inning.
“It kind of snowballed on (Male) a little bit,” Bloomer said. “If we play them again tomorrow, I think it’s probably a one- or two-run game.”
Meanwhile, Francis was keeping Male’s hitters off stride by working the outside of the plate.
“If you miss across the middle with Male they’re going to hit it hard,” Bloomer said. “They’re an aggressive-swinging team, and (pitching) a team away makes them be more patient.”
Junior Hayley Twyman relieved Francis in the fifth and allowed an unearned run and one hit in three innings.
http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...-1?Avis=B2
03-28-2012, 08:58 PM
Mercy has got to have the best pitching staff in the state. They already had JJ Francis and Hayley Twyman, but this year the added freshman lefty Leigh Ellen Thomas from Spencer County. Last year as an 8th grader Leigh Ellen was dominant and was very impressive. She could be a really great player someday.
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