Jackson softball team rallies past Central

The Jackson softball team had runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom of the fifth in a one-run game.

Sophomore Taylor Kirn, who was 0 for 2 at that point, worked a full count and hit a hard line drive double past Central's diving second baseman to score two runs and help propel the Indians to a 4-3 victory Wednesday at Jackson City Park.

"I always love to be in those pressure-type situations," Kirn said. "I think it really builds momentum when you can get the right teammate to go out and get on base. That really builds everyone up."

Jackson (4-3) went on to retire Central's final six batters and hand the Tigers (2-2) their first second consecutive loss.

The Indians had seven hits in the win but had to come from behind to emerge victorious, something that Jackson had not done this season.

"We've typically pulled ahead early in games we've played so far, so this was definitely something new for us," Jackson coach Ashley Litzelfelner said. "The team as a whole did a great job of staying up and being positive. Against a good club like Cape Central it's easy to get down, but we didn't and it worked out for us."

Maddie Daum and Sarah Kitchen were the two bright spots for Central's offense as it built an early 3-0 lead.

Daum led off the bottom of the first inning for the Tigers with a double and scored two batters later when Kitchen singled to right field.

Central scored two more in the third.

Once again, Daum led off the third inning with a single and scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Kitchen to extend the lead to 2-0. Kitchen reached first and Jenna Johnson ran for the Tigers' catcher. Johnson scored later in the inning on a single from Brooke Anderson to make it 3-0.

Daum went 4 for 4 with two more singles in the fourth and seventh innings.

The Tigers had just four more base runners for the remainder of the game, but they felt like they were in control thanks in large part to their starting pitcher Maggie Groshong.

Jackson's Kayli Speakman makes the throw to first during the game against Central Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 in Jackson. (GLENN LANDBERG)

"She was solid for us, she pitched really well up until that one inning when their bats just all the sudden turned on," Central coach Amy Blattel said. "And we had runners in scoring position all day long, we just have to utilize those opportunities and put them in, but I still thought we played well."

Groshong struck out six and had given up just one hit and allowed the Indians one baserunner through three innings, but in the fourth things began to fall apart.

Kayla Keith led off the bottom of the inning with a single then moved up to second on a fielder's choice off the bat of Mallorie Maintz.

Two batters later MacKenzie Bartels' two-out RBI double scored Keith and gave the Indians their first run of the game.

Erica Gray made it 3-2 after her single to left field scored Bartels.

"Once we start hitting our motivation gets up and we will continue to hit the ball really, really well," Litzelfelner said. "It's just a matter of getting that first hit and getting a rally going. Once that rally gets going it's hard to stop us."

Jackson kept its momentum going in the fifth when Shiann Clayborn walked with one out. Megan Clippard followed with a single. Two batters later Kirn's double gave Jackson the lead for good.

Kirn said she was happy to deliver a game-winning hit, but said her teammate Sicily Johnston deserves most of the credit for the win.

"She's pitched to me for at least four years now, and we've really become close on the field and off of it," Kirn said. "When she's, on she's on, and she's nearly un-hittable. Her screwball really worked tonight and there wasn't a hitter out here that could touch it tonight. Myself and this team are really nothing without her pitching so well."

The freshman pitcher picked up her second win of the season. She pitched a complete game and struck out two.

Johnston said well-placed pitches and a strong defense helped her maintain focus.

"I believe that I have a strong defense behind me," Johnston said. "I went out there with the mentality that if I could do my job, they could do theirs. The movement on my ball really helped, too. I don't throw a lot of fastballs, so I kind of rely on that movement and luckily it was there tonight."

Litzelfelner hopes Thursday's win can propel Johnston and her team to more wins as the season progresses.

"It always feels good to beat a district opponent, but we're not going to stop there," Litzenfelner said. "We always have to play them (Central) and any team hard no matter what point of the season we're in. This is a good win for us, but we really have to grow from it and keep hitting and playing better so we can prove to other team that we're here to compete and win."

Central 120 000 0 -- 3 8 1

Jackson 000 220 X -- 4 7 0

WP -- Sicily Johnston. LP -- Maggie Groshong. 2B -- Maddie Daum (C), MacKenzie Bartels (J). Multiple hitters -- Central: Daum 4-4, Kaylie George 2-3; Jackson: Megan Clippard 2-4. Records -- Central 2-2, Jackson 4-3.