HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Jackson-Milton defeats Fitch, 7-4; win ends 0-5 start, sends message

The Bluejays weren't living up to their preseason ranking.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- A five-run second inning helped the Jackson-Milton High softball team snap a five-game losing streak Tuesday, as the Bluejays trimmed Austintown Fitch, 7-4, on the Falcons' home field.
Sophomore pitcher Corey Velk scattered five hits and struck out 12 for Jackson-Milton (1-5).
"Finally, we've got a win," said Bluejays coach Kelly Snowden. "We were ranked No. 8 in preseason [state] polls and lost five in a row."
Hits and errors: A couple of errors, a single by Jessica Hemphill, doubles by Rachel Evans and Jessica Wilmoth, and a single by Lea Fenton gave Jackson-Milton the 5-0 lead.
"We only lost one player, shortstop Rachel Feher who graduated, so this was a huge win for us," Snowden said. "This is a team with a lot of potential; now, hopefully, we can show people that we can do it."
Austintown Fitch managed to get a run back in the third inning on a walk to Julie Kemesky, sacrifice and a single by Joanna Fergus.
Evans walked to lead off the fourth inning for the Bluejays.
A passed ball and error brought her home.
Jackson-Milton got its final run in the sixth inning as Hemphill reached base on an error, stole second and scored on a single by Wilmoth.
"We played the way we should have been playing all along," Snowden said. "Offensively, we were much better."
The Falcons scored two runs in the sixth inning on a single by Andrea Diorio, an error, a double by Fergus and a fielder's choice.
In the seventh inning, Fitch's Gina Orlando singled, stole second and third, and scored on a groundout.
Falcons to date: "We are lacking experience and are weak in some areas," Fitch coach Jerry Beltempo said. "We have to get more from our top five or six if we expect to do anything."
Wilmoth went 2-for-3 for the Bluejays with a double and single and she scored once. Evans was 1-for-2 with a double and she scored twice.
Defensively, the Falcons turned two double plays.