ARGYLE - Jessica Treuthardt contends she didn't have her best pitching performance in Argyle's WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal game against Juda-Albany Thursday, May 16.
However, it's hard to argue with the results. Treuthardt, a junior, tossed a three-hit shutout to propel Argyle to a 5-0 win over the Panthers.
"I struggled a lot," Treuthardt said. "I was kind of wild and not hitting my spots. I think it worked to my advantage because it was unpredictable. They were worrying about the changeup. I wasn't on tonight."
With the win, Argyle (14-13) advances to play at No. 1 seed Barneveld Tuesday, May 21. Barneveld defeated the Orioles 1-0 Tuesday, May 14.
On Thursday, the Orioles did most of their damage in the second inning, scoring four runs off Juda-Albany junior Tabatha Davis. Davis hit Treuthardt with a pitch leading off the second. Argyle's Amber Dammen singled and Jessica Geissbuhler reached on an infield single. Argyle senior Kim Pink knocked in the first run with a ground out. Sophomore Jenna Langmeier, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, delivered an RBI single and senior Rachel Tollakson had an RBI ground out to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead. Senior Kayla Ostby, who went 2-for-4, came through with an RBI single to left to give the Orioles a 4-0 lead.
"Once one of us gets a hit, we are off to the races," Langmeier said. "When we start hitting, everyone gets excited and starts hitting."
Langmeier said the Orioles always work hard to be aggressive on the bases.
"We take advantage of every base we can get," she said. "That one extra base can make the difference in a run and winning."
That's the only cushion Treuthardt would need. The Panthers (9-10) had a golden scoring opportunity loading the bases in the fourth. Juda-Albany's Molly Marass reached on an infield single and Davis reached on an error. Treuthardt then walked Jessica Rackow. With one out, Treuthardt pitched out of a bases loaded jam by getting Juda-Albany senior Carlie Peters to pop out and Jessica Crull to ground out.
"It was a pretty good defensive game," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "They executed in the second inning. Tabatha pitched a good game. She kept us in the game. They got timely hits. That was the difference in the game. That one inning, things just didn't go our way."
The other hits for the Panthers came from McKayla Trotter who singled in the second and Davis who singled in the sixth.
"I was very proud of our defense and the way we executed," Argyle coach Sean Leary said. "It was a good defensive performance, and Jessica pitched a good game. We put the ball in play and good things happen when you put the ball in play."
Treuthardt is looking forward to a rematch with Barneveld, which shared the Six Rivers East Conference title with Monticello.
"I need to keep (Barneveld) off-balance with my changeup," she said. "Udelhofen is a really good pitcher. We need to keep our bats going."
However, it's hard to argue with the results. Treuthardt, a junior, tossed a three-hit shutout to propel Argyle to a 5-0 win over the Panthers.
"I struggled a lot," Treuthardt said. "I was kind of wild and not hitting my spots. I think it worked to my advantage because it was unpredictable. They were worrying about the changeup. I wasn't on tonight."
With the win, Argyle (14-13) advances to play at No. 1 seed Barneveld Tuesday, May 21. Barneveld defeated the Orioles 1-0 Tuesday, May 14.
On Thursday, the Orioles did most of their damage in the second inning, scoring four runs off Juda-Albany junior Tabatha Davis. Davis hit Treuthardt with a pitch leading off the second. Argyle's Amber Dammen singled and Jessica Geissbuhler reached on an infield single. Argyle senior Kim Pink knocked in the first run with a ground out. Sophomore Jenna Langmeier, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, delivered an RBI single and senior Rachel Tollakson had an RBI ground out to give the Orioles a 3-0 lead. Senior Kayla Ostby, who went 2-for-4, came through with an RBI single to left to give the Orioles a 4-0 lead.
"Once one of us gets a hit, we are off to the races," Langmeier said. "When we start hitting, everyone gets excited and starts hitting."
Langmeier said the Orioles always work hard to be aggressive on the bases.
"We take advantage of every base we can get," she said. "That one extra base can make the difference in a run and winning."
That's the only cushion Treuthardt would need. The Panthers (9-10) had a golden scoring opportunity loading the bases in the fourth. Juda-Albany's Molly Marass reached on an infield single and Davis reached on an error. Treuthardt then walked Jessica Rackow. With one out, Treuthardt pitched out of a bases loaded jam by getting Juda-Albany senior Carlie Peters to pop out and Jessica Crull to ground out.
"It was a pretty good defensive game," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "They executed in the second inning. Tabatha pitched a good game. She kept us in the game. They got timely hits. That was the difference in the game. That one inning, things just didn't go our way."
The other hits for the Panthers came from McKayla Trotter who singled in the second and Davis who singled in the sixth.
"I was very proud of our defense and the way we executed," Argyle coach Sean Leary said. "It was a good defensive performance, and Jessica pitched a good game. We put the ball in play and good things happen when you put the ball in play."
Treuthardt is looking forward to a rematch with Barneveld, which shared the Six Rivers East Conference title with Monticello.
"I need to keep (Barneveld) off-balance with my changeup," she said. "Udelhofen is a really good pitcher. We need to keep our bats going."
