Owens Pitches Lady Pats past Cocke Co

JCHS Softball vs. Cocke County, March 26, 2014
Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports

The Jefferson County Patriots softball team got its first win of the season Wednesday night, but don’t let the record fool you, the Patriots still have high goals for this young season. “We want to win district, we want to win region, we want to go to state.” Head Coach Bekkah Massaro said. Jefferson County improves to 1-5 on the year, but competition has been very tough. The Lady Patriots have played Grainger, who are favored in their district (lost 9-3), Seymour a team that most picked to win the IMAC this season(lost 5-2 in extras), they lost to Hardin Valley 1-0 in a 13 inning contest, and fell to Gibbs, which is ranked #20 in the nation(MaxPreps), 2-0. That being said, all of the Lady Patriots goals are still attainable.

Walters State signee, Summer Hayes, would get things started for the Lady Patriots with a double to left field in the bottom of the first. Jefferson County would score 4 runs in the first and lead after one, 4-0. The Lady Patriots would be held scoreless for the next 3 innings, but still hold on to that 4-0 lead heading into the fifth inning. The Lady Red would not be able to get anyone on base in the top half of the fifth and trailed 4-0. Jefferson County would add one in the bottom of the fifth and take a 5-0 lead into the sixth. The Lady Patriots would score 5 runs on 4 hits in the bottom of the sixth and the game would end on run rule before Cocke County could manage the third out. The Lady Patriots would cruise to their first conference win as well as first win overall, 10-0. The Lady Pats pounded out 14 hits including three doubles in the contest and pitcher Madison Owens would pitch a magnificent game, striking out four while only allowing two hits in six innings of work.

“Our pitchers have pitched outstanding all year, Madison today another great game.” Massaro said. She would add “We were lucky to capitalize on their (Cocke Co) errors early that allowed us to plate some runs.” About their first win on this young season “We know that the girl’s want to win, but we don’t make that the focus of every game. We like for them to play loose, but not too loose, if you play uptight you’re not going to be able to play.” She added “ I’m proud of the girls, they haven’t let the 0-5 start get them down and that credit goes to our upper classmen.”

The Lady Patriots travel to Chattanooga for a Friday double header and a game Saturday in the Choo-Choo classic tournament. “Hopefully this momentum carries on with us this weekend.”