Offense was the key as the Sedona minors softball team got back to their winning ways on May 20 by scoring 10 runs in the first two innings and going on to defeat the Cottonwood Jayhawks at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood in extraordinary fashion, 14-5.
“We haven’t been hitting as of late but the bats came around against the Jayhawks and that was the difference,” Sedona head coach Kevin Brackin said.
Sedona started the season 3-0 before losing three in a row coming into the game against the Jayhawks.
By Brian Bergner Jr.
Offense was the key as the Sedona minors softball team got back to their winning ways on May 20 by scoring 10 runs in the first two innings and going on to defeat the Cottonwood Jayhawks at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood in extraordinary fashion, 14-5.
“We haven’t been hitting as of late but the bats came around against the Jayhawks and that was the difference,” Sedona head coach Kevin Brackin said.
Sedona started the season 3-0 before losing three in a row coming into the game against the Jayhawks.
With the victory, Sedona’s record currently stands at 4-3.
The Sedona team was looking for sweet revenge this time around against the Jayhawks as they lost a heartbreaker to them back on April 23, 9-8.
Sedona would leave no doubt who was the better team on this day, pounding the ball all over the softball diamond to set the tone in the first inning.
In the top of the first, Sedona sent seven batters to the plate, five of which scored on Cottonwood’s starting pitcher Brooke Trimble.
Sedona’s third baseman McKenna Woodford capped off the five-run rally with a big home run down the left field line which saw her circle and when she finally touched home plate her hands were in the air with excitement.
In the bottom of the first and spotted with a 5-0 lead, Sedona starting pitcher Molly Brackin took the circle for her team looking to impress all in attendance.
Brackin looked like she had her “A” stuff against the Jayhawks allowing only two runs in the inning, getting her offense back in the dugout quickly.
“We’ve worked with Molly [Brackin], and she’s come along way,” Kevin Brackin said.
The offense returned the favor of getting back in the dugout quickly by putting up five more runs in the inning as Sedona took a commanding 10-2 lead.
Brackin would allow three more runs to score in the bottom of the second inning to make it a 10-5 affair but that would be all.
On the game, Brackin pitched two innings allowing only five runs and three walks while striking out five batters.
After Sedona put up two more runs in their half of the inning to take a 12-5 lead, relief pitcher Emily Aitken got the call and pitched beautifully allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out five Jayhawk batters and not allowing a run to score in her two innings pitched.
Sedona tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning with a big home run coming off the bat of second baseman Emma Keider which made it a 14-5 game and the Jayhawks from that point on were done.
Aitken shut the door in the bottom half of the fourth and the Sedona team shook hands on the field, congratulating each other on a job well done.
“At this level it comes down to the pitcher throwing the ball over the plate. That’s what we did today, and it was just another reason why we got a victory,” Kevin Brackin said.
Offensive standouts included Keider who was 1-3 with a walk and a home run, Woodford was 1-2 with a home run and outfielder Samantha Smith was 2-2 with a run scored and a run batted in.
Next up, Sedona will play the Sandnats at Riverfront Park on Wednesday, May 28.
First pitch is scheduled for
5 p.m.
Sedona’s last game of the season will be Friday, June 6, against the Muckdogs in Camp Verde. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 131, or e-mail to bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
