Jackson softball team cruises past Cape Central

Each time the Jackson softball team takes the field against a district opponent, coach Ashley Litzelfelner wants her players to use the game as a showcase.

Led by a 4-for-4 outing from Taylor Kirn, the Indians once again put their offense on display in defeating Cape Central 8-3 and picking up their third consecutive win Wednesday at Cape Central High School.

"Especially with district teams, we have to continue to show our strengths and continue to prove ourselves for that district seeding," Litzelfelner said. "That's what we're working on and working towards."

Jackson (3-2) scored on error in the top of the first inning, and Kirn scored the first of her three runs on a groundout by Madison Dye in the top of the second, giving the Indians a 2-0 lead.

Kirn is one of six seniors on Jackson's roster, and Litzelfelner was pleased with her performance in the seven-hole.

"She came out and proved herself with hit after hit after hit. She came out and showed the player I know she is," Litzelfelner said. "She came out and showed us again how strong she can be and how big of a leader she can be at the plate."

Jackson coach Ashley Litzelfelner talks with Maddie Earnheart during a time out in the sixth inning against Cape Central Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 at Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

A fielder's choice RBI by Dye and a sacrifice bunt by Sophie Wunderlich extended the Indians' lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth. The sophomore Dye batted ninth as the designated player and finished with a game-high three RBIs, including a sacrifice fly during Jackson's four-run sixth inning.

"Madison Dye was the standout when you talk about girls coming off the bench. This was actually her first start as a sophomore on varsity," Litzelfelner said. "... She was probably the most outstanding player of the game."

An RBI single by Wunderlich, an error and an RBI groundout by Mallorie Maintz, who finished 2 for 4, allowed the Indians to build an 8-0 lead in the top of the sixth.

Litzelfelner believes the leadership from her six seniors has played the biggest factor in Jackson's surging offense.

"Our seniors are starting to step up," Litzelfelner said. "... Those leaders on the team just coming out and getting on base whenever we need it has been key. That's showing the girls that they can lead the team and that they can help the team out and help build a program."

Cape Central's Sydney Tollison looks to make a play in the fourth inning against Jackson Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 at Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

Central (0-4) scored on an error in the bottom of the sixth before tacking on a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh on another error.

The Tigers were only able to muster five hits, but coach Amy Blattel understands the season is still young.

"I know we did not play well today, but we are not going to be the same team at the end of the season. So actually in looking at today's game, I think I see some positive things that we're going to take forward," Blattel said. "We gave up some runs early, but we're going to learn from that."

Wunderlich picked up the win in 5 1/3 innings of work. She had five strikeouts and no walks and allowed four hits and one unearned run before being relieved by Sicily Johnston, who pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed one hit and two unearned runs with three strikeouts and no walks.

Jackson committed five errors in the game, but Litzelfelner was pleased with the performance of her pitchers.

"Sophie started to wear down a little because of the heat. We were able to bring in Sicily, and Sicily came in strong," Litzelfelner said. "Our pitching was great today."

Maggie Boxdorfer went five innings and was tabbed with the loss. She gave up seven hits and six runs -- four earned -- and had four strikeouts and one walk. Calleigh Huffman pitched two innings of relief and had a strikeout and a walk.

Blattel said she spoke with her pitching staff after the game about consistency and the importance of getting ahead in the count.

"We got behind in the count early on each inning of batters, which hurt us, but the pitchers we have are very willing to work and are very hungry to get better," Blattel said. "They want to better themselves, and they want to do the work, so I have all the confidence in the world that we will do that."

Leadoff hitter Kylie Lane was 2 for 4 to lead Central at the plate.

"We're making contact, and we are understanding a few of the things we're talking about in practice. I saw that as a positive, the fact that we did not give up and the fact that we kept putting the bat on the ball," Blattel said. "If you put the ball in play against teams, you increase their chances of making mistakes, and I think we did that today.

"I think hitting-wise, it's very early in the season, and I think that we will continue to progress. I think we're very close to breaking out and really understanding the concepts that we're teaching in practice, which is going to be a great thing."

Litzelfelner believes communication from her senior leaders will be of utmost importance as the season continues.

"We just need to continue moving forward and continue having that leadership, not only on the bench and at the plate, but also out in the field," she said. "Communication's a crucial part to any team and any game, so that's going to help us win and go further and hopefully meet our goal of moving past districts."

Jackson 110 204 0 -- 8 9 5

Central 000 001 2 -- 3 5 3

WP -- Sophie Wunderlich. LP -- Maggie Boxdorfer. Multiple hits: Jackson -- Taylor Kirn 4-4, Mallorie Maintz 2-4; Central -- Kylie Lane 2-4.