Great two-way effort by Watts gives Lady Spartans win over Zachary
With the weather finally cooperating on Friday night, East Ascension was able to hit the field against Zachary in the opening game of the Coach I Memorial Tournament at Butch Gore Park.
Behind a steady performance on the mound by Jessie Watts and timely hitting from the plate, the Lady Spartans were able to earn a solid 5-1 victory.
East Ascension struck first. After LSU commit Claire Weinberger walked and stole second, Watts did some damage from the batter's box. She belted out an RBI single that scored Weinberger and gave the Lady Spartans the early 1-0 lead.
Watts' only real trouble from the mound came in the top of the second inning when she gave up her second hit of the game. It came in the form of a huge RBI triple that allowed the Lady Broncos to tie the game.
But fortunately for Watts, she was able to keep her composure and escape the rest of the inning unscathed. From that point on, she was dominant--pitching a no-hits shutout in the final five innings.
East Ascension quickly broke the tie in the bottom of the second as Jordan Langlois led the inning off with a single and then reached second following a bunt,
Brea Aikens then cracked an RBI triple into right-center. When Zachary's cutoff player couldn't handle the throw from the outfield, Aikens took advantage. She came home to regain the lead for East Ascension at 3-1.
Zachary's best chance to catch up came in the top of the fifth inning when Watts walked the first two batters. But like the second inning, she was able to right the ship and escape without giving up any runs.
The Lady Broncos weren't so lucky in the top of the sixth. East Ascension was able to mount one more offensive surge to put the game away.
After putting a runner on base due to a fielding error, Verlencia Jackson walked. The bases were then loaded as Weinberger got on with a pretty bunt.
Like in the opening inning, Watts made her presence felt from the plate. She drilled a two-RBI single that gave the Lady Spartans a commanding 5-1 advantage.
Watts then took the mound in the top of the seventh. She was able to make the Lady Broncos go three up and three down to close out the 5-1 victory for East Ascension.
Watts got the win as she pitched a complete game and gave up only two hits and one run. She was also the Lady Spartans' most dangerous player from behind the plate as she went 2-4 with a game-high three RBIs.
Weinberger went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. Aikens went 1-3, had an RBI and she also scored a run.
After the great victory to start the tournament on Friday night, East Ascension continued its strong play.
They captured a dominating 10-0 win over Byrd on Saturday morning and to end the Coach I Memorial Tournament undefeated, they squeaked by Walker, 4-3.
The three wins upped the Lady Spartans' record to a perfect 7-0 for the season.