It was a subdued clubhouse for a normally raucous Mortimer Jordan softball team, after finding out that longtime Blue Devils “superfan” Jerry Motte had lost his long battle with cancer.
But it didn’t keep the Devils from getting down to business, as pitcher Heather Parker threw 10 strikeouts to shut out Class 5A Area 11 foe Hayden 7-0 in Jordan’s home opener Monday.
Parker gave up three hits, with her only trouble coming in the third inning on consecutive singles to Wildcat shortstop Mara Conner and catcher Madison Durham.
Those two runners moved up to second and third on a passed ball, but Parker then fanned second baseman Caitlin Kirkland and pitcher Ashlan Dutton to squelch the rally.
Jordan (11-0) took an early lead when third baseman Blair Johnson, whose batting numbers have been off the charts in the first two weeks of the season, doubled to right field to bring in center fielder Haylie McCleney from second.
The Devils put two more runs on the board in the second, two more in the third — one on a lead-off solo homer by first baseman Morgan Estell.
Jordan’s last runs came via a two-run blast to left center field by McCleney in the fourth.
Parker (6-0) allowed three hits, all singles, and no walks in the complete-game win.
Starter Ashlan Dutton was replaced by Kirkland after two innings’ work. The pair gave up seven hits and five walks.
“You can’t give up walks like that to a team like Jordan,” Hayden coach John Simmons said. “They’ll take advantage of every minute error you make.”
Conner was the defensive standout for the Wildcats (9-4), making two spectacular stabbing catches of line drives. She doubled off the Jordan baserunner on the latter catch.
For Jordan, who ran its state-record winning streak to 56 games after sweeping a weekend tournament at Spain Park — which featured a close win over familiar nemesis Bob Jones — things are starting to settle in, now that hitters are used to the new 43-foot distance from the pitching rubber to home plate.
“In the first two games [of the season], I could tell a difference on drop balls and rise balls,” Devils coach Laura Rickman said. “Now they’re starting to get into a groove.”
McCleney was 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs driven in and two runs scored. Right fielder Hillary Hardiman was also 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
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As the American flag flies at half-staff in remembrance of Mortimer Jordan “superfan” Jerry Motte, Devils pitcher Heather Parker hurls a pitch in Monday’s 7-0 shutout of Hayden. Parker had 10 strikeouts in the game. Motte passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer. Robert Carter
Discussion
Parker has 10 K’s as Blue Devils roll
Estell, McCleney hit home runs
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