The Jefferson Varsity Softball team (5-8) played host to the Farmington Knights (8-6) Wednesday night in hopes of breaking the team’s seven-game losing streak. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, they were unable to keep up with the Knights offensive attack, losing 16-2.
The Blue Jays came into their game Wednesday night on a seven-game losing streak, the most recent of which came the day before in a 9-8 nail-biter to Cuba. The Blue Jays set their sights on non-conference opponent Farmington High School.
Taking the mound for the Blue Jays was their go-to starter, Senior Megan Payne. She entered the game Wednesday leading the team in innings pitched with 44.2 to go along with the lowest ERA at 4.54.
The Knights took the lead immediately in the top of the first, hanging four runs on Payne. Errors from Allison Campbell and Brittnay Bittick combined with hits from Farmington Junior Mckennah Wallace and Freshman Jayce Jarvis started the trouble for the Jays.
Things only got worse for the Jefferson with the Knights putting two more on the board in the second inning thanks to another base hit from Wallace. The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the second on a solo home run from Junior Cami Menke, but still trailed 6-1.
Following the second inning, the Blue Jays decided to make a pitching change and bring in Menke. However it didn’t have the effect that the Blue Jays wanted, as Menke gave up seven runs in the top of the third. The inning’s biggest hit came from Sophomore Angelia Davis, who hit a two-run home run to extend the lead to 10-1. By the end of the inning, the Blue Jays trailed the Knights 13-1.
After a scoreless third the next run came in the bottom of the fourth when Menke brought in Catryn Cattoor on an error. Farmington was quick to respond, snagging three runs in the fifth, one of which came from Senior Sloane Elam’s solo home run.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Blue Jays had their last chance to bring the game within 10 runs, but they failed to reach base dealing the Blue Jays a 16-2 loss.
Payne was tagged for the loss, her fourth of the season, giving up seven runs, six hits and two walks. In three innings of work, Menke gave up 10 hits, nine runs and two home runs, ballooning her ERA to 10.97.
A bright spot for the Blue Jays on offense was Menke, who had the only base hit in the game for Jefferson; a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning. Menke now has four home runs on the season to go along with her batting average of .485 and a slugging percentage of .909.
Cattoor was also productive for Jefferson, stealing two bases after reaching on an error, ultimately scoring a run. Cattoor’s speed has been a difference-maker all year for the Blue Jays; she now has nine on the season, just behind teammate Maggie Brunke, who leads the team with 10.
The Blue Jays, now 5-9 on the season, will continue to look to break their eight-game losing streak against Fredericktown on Thursday night.
