Intro

Jackson Heights and Valley Falls enter the night tied in the NEKL at 4-2 a piece. Jackson Heights with the better overall record of 7-3, compared to the Lady Dragon’s record of 5-3. The Jackson Heights softball program started last year and their first doubleheader opponent was Valley Falls. The Lady Cobras in their first doubleheader swept the Dragons in both games (12-8,15-13). Valley Falls will enter the night prepared for a well battled rematch against the snakes. 

Game 1 - Jackson Heights Vs Valley Falls (11-13)

The opening matchup of the doubleheader begun a little slow with teams tied 0-0 heading into the top of the third inning with the Dragons up to bat. Starting on the mound for Jackson Heights was Layla Cochran who just came off a great game and historical achievement for Cobras softball program versus JCN last week on Thursday; Layla pitched the program’s first ever no-hitter to secure the sweep against the Chargers. In the top of the third the Lady Dragon posted three runs off three hits. Responding in the bottom of the third against the Dragon’s starting senior pitcher, Lauren Brown, the Cobras replied with four runs and three hits making the game 4-3 exiting the third. Taylor Bosley recorded a two-RBI-double in the third inning to help the Cobras take the lead. However, despite the lead change things slipped for the Cobras and soon fell to a deficit of 12-5 entering the sixth inning. Bats were flying for the dragons through the first five innings with thirteen hits and six left on base. Senior Korie Kirkwood and sophomore Brooklyn Schmelze managed to have a perfect on-base-percentage as they got onto base each time they’d step up to bat off their four plate appearances. Jackson Heights pitched a perfect top of the sixth and proceeded to nearly tie the game with the score 11-12 in the bottom. Despite mostly scoring with two outs on the board, the Cobras found a way to rally and make things possible in the final inning. The highlightable play of the sixth came from the Cobra junior, Jennifer Buck, as she cranked an inside the park home run that drove in three runs including herself. Unfortunately for the Lady Cobras they couldn’t get the comeback in the seventh inning despite holding Valley Falls to just one run in the top of the seven; which, included an incredible double-play from a line out catch to Layla Cochran and swiftly throwing it back to her third baseman, Madi Bacon, for the tag out pickoff. Jackson heights fell to the defeat of 13-11. 

Game 2 - Jackson Heights Vs Valley Falls (2-17)

The second game of the night ended in a swift defeat just by the end of the third inning 17-2, Dragons winning. Valley Falls came out hot putting up four runs a piece in the first two innings with three hits a piece as well. The Cobras found a way to put up two runs in the bottom of the third with sophmores Madi Bacon and Brynn Shupe scoring in runs, making it 2-8 entering the top of the third. The Dragons proceeded to score nine runs and four hits in the third inning to enforce the fifteen after three run rule against the Cobras. The highlight of game two was a single RBI in the park home run slammed by senior Renay Myers. 

Summary 

In the end the Cobras couldn’t complete the comeback in game one and just weren’t able to find a rhythm to start game two. Valley Falls softball will bump up to 6-2 In league and 7-3 on the year. Jackson Heights will fall to an even 4-4 in league while dropping to 7-5 on the season. Jackson Heights will try to get things going at another home game this Thursday at Wetmore against Pleasant Ridge. The Dragons will take a week break and continue play on next Monday versus the Oskaloosa Bears (which should be a great pitching matchup!).

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