SP softball wins 8-inning pitchers' duel

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

CLAY CITY -- Regulation play couldn't contain an electric pitchers' duel in Clay City Tuesday night, where South Putnam won a 1-0, eight-inning donnybrook over the Eels.

The Clay City offense was rendered helpless against Eagle ace Brooke Boetjer, who tossed a complete game, one-hit shutout, striking out 10 while allowing just two walks. A bang-bang infield single in the fourth inning was the only hit Clay City was able to muster all night.

Boetjer wasn't the only ace who brought top shelf stuff, however, as Shelby Targett matched her shutout performance through seven innings. Targett allowed runners into scoring position in the second, third and sixth innings, but was able to work her way out of a jam in all three innings. She finished the night allowing six hits, while walking one and striking out eight.

An error and a sacrifice bunt gave Clay City a realistic chance of winning in the bottom of the seventh, but Boetjer powered her club through to the eighth.

Finally, in the extra frame, the Eagles were able to find their offense. Krystal Welch led the inning off with a double, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.

Targett forced a pop out to the next batter.

Then, after carrying her team on the mound, Boetjer, who also went 3-for-4 at the plate, recorded the game's only RBI, blasting a single to right, giving her club a 1-0 lead.

Eagles coach Chris Jones understandably praised Boetjer's performance following the game.

"She did an incredible job tonight," Jones said. "She buckled down on the mound and she came through in the clutch when we needed her to."

The Eels didn't go out without threatening in the bottom half of the inning, as Sloan Miller reached on a walk, then got into scoring position following an Allison Carroll sacrifice bunt.

But, as she did all night, Boetjer got out of the jam and secured her team's 1-0 win.

Despite the loss, Eels coach Roger Rhodes said he was captivated by the pitchers' duel he had just witnessed.

"This is the way softball is supposed to be," Rhodes said. "It was a great game."

With the win, the Eagles improved to 16-1 on the season. Jones said his team is starting to play at the level he anticipated at the beginning of the season, but remained optimistic they still had better softball in them.

"We're progressing," Jones said. "We're getting stronger all the time, but we haven't peaked yet. Hopefully we will at the right time."

The Eagles visit West Vigo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

At Clay City

S. Putnam 000 000 01 - 1 6 2

Clay Çity 000 000 00 - 0 1 0

2B-- SP (Welch, Whitaker)

Pitching

South Putnam IP R H BB K

Boetjer (W) 8 0 1 2 10

Clay City IP R H BB K

Targett (L) 8 1 6 1 8