ORANGEVILLE - The Juda-Albany softball team jumped out to an early lead and withstood a rally to hang on for a 5-4 season-opening win over Orangeville in a non-conference game Monday.
Juda-Albany freshman Nicki Becker pitched a complete game in her first varsity game and struck out 10. She gave up just two earned runs on seven hits and walked just two.
"She threw the ball well," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "She was a little nervous. She settled in and pitched good. About the third or fourth inning, you could see her getting into a groove."
Despite scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, Davis wasn't comfortable with the lead.
"Playing Orangeville, no," Davis said. "Because they can hit the ball."
Orangeville freshman pitcher Hannah Holland pitched four innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out five and walked three. Holland also hit a home run over the fence in the second. Orangeville's Morgan Robb went 2-for-4.
Orangeville has lost in extra innings of the sectional finals of the IHSA tournament the last two years.
Juda-Albany's Jessica Crull went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Becker finished 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI.
The Panthers had five different players drive in runs. The other players with one RBI include sophomore Sara Jordan, senior Molly Marass and senior Cheyenne Ambler.
Juda-Albany will begin conference play when they host Barneveld April 7.
Juda-Albany freshman Nicki Becker pitched a complete game in her first varsity game and struck out 10. She gave up just two earned runs on seven hits and walked just two.
"She threw the ball well," Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said. "She was a little nervous. She settled in and pitched good. About the third or fourth inning, you could see her getting into a groove."
Despite scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, Davis wasn't comfortable with the lead.
"Playing Orangeville, no," Davis said. "Because they can hit the ball."
Orangeville freshman pitcher Hannah Holland pitched four innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out five and walked three. Holland also hit a home run over the fence in the second. Orangeville's Morgan Robb went 2-for-4.
Orangeville has lost in extra innings of the sectional finals of the IHSA tournament the last two years.
Juda-Albany's Jessica Crull went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Becker finished 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI.
The Panthers had five different players drive in runs. The other players with one RBI include sophomore Sara Jordan, senior Molly Marass and senior Cheyenne Ambler.
Juda-Albany will begin conference play when they host Barneveld April 7.
