Knights Go 2-2 at Wallace State Tourney

The Lady Blue Knights had a bookend of victories at the Wallace State Tournament in Cullman, Alabama March 14-16. The Knights had to fight through a barage of thunderstorms and unseasonably cool temperatures during the tourney.

Game 1:

Katie Harmon picked up the first win of the year for the Knights as they beat Northwest Shoals 9-8. The Knights made things interesting as they gave up five runs in the sixth and allowed the tying run to reach third base in the seventh. Perseverance, however, paid off. Harmon pitched six solid innings, giving up only three earned runs, before giving the ball over to fellow freshman Teia Nidey, who closed out the seventh. Jackie Daugherty reached base all five times at bat with three walks and two doubles, with one run scored. Ashley Roberts remained hot by going 2-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Freshman Taylor Christophel, from Columbus, IN, went 2-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Evansville native Lindsey Wedding added three RBI thanks to a triple in the third inning.

Game 2:

After a rain delay that put the tournament nearly a whole day behind, the Lady Knights played Bevill State CC out of Alabama. Despite an outstanding pitching performance by Katie Harmon, the Knights were edged 7-6. Harmon did not allow an earned run in the contest, as seven errors by the Knights in the field did the damage. Harmon scattered 7 hits in 6 innings pitched. Freshman Amanda Hostettler led the Knights at the plate by going 2-3 with an RBI.

Game 3:

For the second game in a row the defense of the Lady Knights was suspect. Freshman Teia Nidey took the tough luck loss. She gave up 4 earned runs in the 9-3 loss, scattering 6 hits in 6 innings. Sophomore Robinson, IL product Jamie Lytle led the Knights at the plate by going 3-4 with 2 RBI.

Game 4:

The last game of the tournament was both a blessing and a disaster for the Lady Knights. The blessing came in the form of freshman pitcher and Olney native Chelsie Cowman. Chelsie pitched five innings, face only 18 batters, gave up no earned runs and only one hit on a day when the Lady Knights defeated Hiawassee College of Tennessee 9-1. The disaster occurred when the Lady Knights lost sophomore starter Jamie Lytle to a torn ACL while sliding into home. Befitting her personality, the first question Jamie asked when the coaches got there was, “did i score?” She did, but the Knights would be happy to give the run back if Jamie could have stayed injure free.
Leading the way for the Knights was Jackie Daugherty with 3 runs scored. Ashley Roberts went 2-4 and Jamie Lytle went 2-2 with 2 runs scored before the injury. Lindsey Wedding went 1-2 with 3 RBI and Selina Roman went 1-2 with an RBI.

SPRING SEASON BEGINS…

The Lady Blue Knights opened the 2008 season in Gadsden, AL on March 13th. The Lady Knights held their own in facing a squad that was 12-13 on the season while OCC was playing their first game of the year…and had only gotten outside once due to the Illinois weather.

South Spencer graduate Katie Harmon got the nod in the first game and pitched well. She threw four innings, giving up 10 runs, yet only 5 of them were earned. Olney native Chelsie Cowman pitched the final two innings, giving up one earned run as Gadsden State won the first game 11-4. Sophomore Ashley Roberts led the Knights at the plate by going 3-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Robinson High School graduate Jamie Lytle also started well at the plate by going 2-3 with an RBI.

The second game saw a much better defensive effort turned in by the Lady Knights, only to come up short, 5-2. Freshman Teia Nidey got the start for the second game and, after allowing five earned runs in the first, shut down Gadsden State for the remainder of the game. She retired GSCC in order in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings, and allowed only one extra base runner in the 6th. However, the Knights could not score the runs needed for the win. Flora sophomore Jackie Daugherty went 2-3 at the plate with a double, run scored and RBI and Ashley Roberts went 2-4 with an RBI as well.

New Additions…

The Lady Blue Knights would like to welcome three new additions to the roster for the Spring 2008 season. Terra Ochs is a native of Oblong, IL and will primarily catch for the Knights. She is also active in Students Senate and other clubs on campus. Krystal Lawalin is from Tell City, IN and will help the Lady Knights at numerous positions and at the plate. Jasmine Grubbs is the third player to join the Lady Blue Knights and will provide speed to the lineup. She is a native of Indianapolis, IN.