PCM advances after drubbing of Chariton

MONROE — Neither senior pitcher Kayla Jennings nor senior catcher Courtney Bridges had any idea that Jennings threw a no-hitter Wednesday during the Mustangs’ 12-0 win over Chariton.

The battery mates were so locked in that both tried to stay focused on the task at hand.

Prairie City-Monroe’s softball team broke open a scoreless game with a nine-run third inning and then ended the game early with a three-run fourth. Jennings did the rest inside the circle as the Mustangs advanced to the Class 3A Region 7 semifinals.

PCM plays at 3A No. 6 Solon in the regional semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday in Solon. The Spartans defeated Mid-Prairie 11-1.

Jennings, who missed the last two PCM games because of her brother’s military graduation, allowed three walks in the win, but no Chariton batter reached on a hit. There were no Mustang errors either.

“It felt good to get back out there,” said Jennings, who struck out five. “I was nervous at the beginning because of the tight strike zone, but I knew the defense had my back if I had to throw it down the middle.”

Offensively, the Mustangs (17-12) chased several pitches out of the zone in the first two innings. Once they let the bad pitches go by and hit the ones in the zone, they were able to put some runs on the board.

PCM sent 13 batters to the plate in the nine-run third inning. The Mustangs drew five straight one-out walks.

Senior Jaiden Rogers was thrown out trying to steal second before seniors Jayci Vos and Abby Waddell and junior Madison Foster all walked to load the bases. Jennings walked with a full count to put the Mustangs on the board.

Senior Katie Vande Wall made it 3-0 with a two-run single and then Bridges made it 5-0 with a two-run single of her own.

Senior Brooke Nicholson followed with an RBI triple to center field and then sophomore Anna Shaver laced an RBI single to add to the lead. Nicholson and Shaver both scored when Rogers hit a ball to left field that was dropped with two outs.

Rogers made it 9-0 after she scored on a wild pitch.

“The scouting report said the pitchers have the tendency to walk hitters. We came into the game not wanting to swing at bad pitches,” PCM coach Scott Bridges said. “We chased three pitches in the first inning, and then we got dialed in a little better in the second.

“We took some walks in the third and then started hitting pitches that were over the plate.”

Jennings struck out a pair during a 1-2-3 third inning to keep the no-hitter intact.

The Mustangs added to their lead in the fourth. Foster started the inning with a walk and then Jennings laced a double to put runners on second and third with no outs.

A Chariton error on a ground ball by Courtney Bridges scored both Foster and Jennings to make it 11-0. Nicholson then walked with one out before Shaver’s RBI double completed the scoring.

“We like to hit the ball, so it was hard to lay off some of those pitches early, but once we settled down, we were able to get on her,” Courtney Bridges said.

Jennings added, “We chased some pitches. The second time around we waited for our pitch and were able to hit strikes.”

Jennings got the first two batters in the bottom of the fourth before walking Avelina Popkov for a second time in the game. Jennings ended the game with a pop up to second base.

“Her curve ball was on point today,” Courtney Bridges said. “A lot of their hitters were chasing that pitch.”

Shaver had two hits, two RBIs and one run scored. Foster and Jennings both had one hit and two runs. Foster walked twice and Jennings doubled and walked.

Vos had two walks and scored a run. Vande Wall and Courtney Bridges each had two-run hits.

Chariton (3-23) ended the season with eight straight losses. The Chargers were outscored 86-15 during that stretch.

PCM’s preparation for Solon began last week. The Spartans will be similar to the team that knocked out the Mustangs in the regional finals two seasons ago.

“They have good pitching and six or seven slap hitters,” Coach Bridges said of Solon. “We’ll have to be able to defend the small ball stuff. We know that’s what they are about. They are fast. We have been working on stuff for Solon for about a week. They are a good team, but I think we are a good team, too. As long as we stay focused, I think we’ll be right in the game.”

The Mustangs’ large group of seniors are looking forward to a rematch with Solon.

“It was shocking at first because they have that name and have been to state a lot lately,” Jennings said. “But it soon moved to excitement because we get that second chance at them. Hopefully it’s our turn to beat them.

“We have to jump on them early. We can’t wait until the third inning to get going.”