Jackson softball team flashes bats in win over Saxony Lutheran

The Jackson softball team has its sights set on winning a district championship, and Tuesday's game proved the Indians might have the firepower to reach that goal.

Jackson combined for 11 hits and claimed its second-ever meeting against Saxony Lutheran -- a 6-3 decision at Jackson City Park -- and its first victory of the season.

The Indians return most of their players from last season, and coach Ashley Litzelfelner is confident in her team's ability to win a district title.

"Our goal is to make it past districts this year and beyond, and we're going to get there," the third-year coach said. "We're a very strong team. We've got to get our bats going, and once we get them going, we score the runs. That's the big thing.

"We just have to continue improving, and if we continue improving, we'll meet our goals."

Jackson (1-2) got its biggest boost from senior Mallorie Maintz, who finished 3 for 4 and was a home run shy of hitting the cycle. Maintz led off the third inning with a triple to right field and scored two batters later on a groundout by Erica Gray that tied the game at 2-2. Maintz also added an RBI double to center field in the bottom of the sixth.

"Mallorie's one of those kids that every team needs," Litzelfelner said. "She is a solid leader, and if you get her up to the plate, she's going to get the hit when we need her to get the hits. She proved that last year, and she's again proving that this year."

Jackson's Kayla Keith makes connections with a pitch during Tuesday's game against Saxony Lutheran.

Saxony (3-1) took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth when Cassidee Wunderlich plated Logan Welker on an RBI groundout, but the Indians responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.

Maintz led off with a single and scored on a one-out double by Gray, who was replaced by courtesy runner Maddie Earnheart. The next batter, Kate Lawrence, gave the Indians a 4-3 advantage on a single to right-center field, but the Crusaders escaped the inning with a 5-4-3 double play. Gray had a 2-for-3 outing with a pair of doubles and a two RBIs.

"She is great for the middle of our lineup," Litzelfelner said about Gray. "You can always count on her getting something solid into the field, whether it's going to be a lined shot at someone or a big hit to the outfield."

Jackson tacked on a pair of insurance runs with two outs in the sixth. Sophie Wunderlich, who had two bunt singles a going 3-for-3 day at the plate, singled and reached second on an error before scoring on a single by Kayla Keith. Maintz followed with her RBI double that extended the Indians' lead to 6-3.

Litzelfelner was pleased with the way her team was able to score runs when needed.

Jackson players break from a huddle in the third inning against Saxony Lutheran Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015 in Jackson. (Glenn Landberg)

"This game, for sure, we started hitting the ball and getting those hits that we need," Litzelfelner said. "We still have some work to do there, and I think every team would say that. ... We definitely came out tonight and showed what we've got."

Sicily Johnson went six innings and earned the win in the circle. She had three strikeouts and four walks and allowed six hits and three runs -- two earned. Wunderlich pitched one inning of relief and was credited with the save. She gave up two hits but held Saxony scoreless in the seventh.

The Crusaders were led by Grace Mirly, who finished 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles, including an RBI double in the top of the third that gave Saxony a 2-1 lead. Logan Meyr also had a pair of base hits for the Crusaders.

"I thought we had some good at-bats," Saxony coach Mark Lewis said. "Early on, I thought we had some batters up there with traffic on the bases, and I think that was the key thing. They came up with some key hits in that spot, and we didn't."

Kelli Brunke was tabbed with the loss in six innings of work. She walked two batters and allowed 11 hits and six runs -- five earned. Saxony committed four errors in the game, including two that allowed an extra base in Jackson's two-run sixth.

"Those last two runs were big. Any run in softball is big," Lewis said. "... Even if a run doesn't score or doesn't move, it still gets in the pitcher's head and gets in your defense's head a little. You've just got to battle through it. You're going to have days like that where you struggle with the gloves."

Litzelfelner said she's continuing to emphasize the importance of communication and working together.

"We have to constantly remember that we're working as a team and working towards one mutual goal, and our goal is to get past that district championship. That right there is what we're working towards," she said. "This year, we're working great together. They encourage each other. They motivate each other, and as a coach, that's all you can ask.

"Whenever you see that from the girls on the field and the girls on the bench, you can't really ask for more. They play with heart and play with focus, and that's what we need and what we want to get to where we need to be."

Saxony 002 010 0 -- 3 8 4

Jackson 011 022 x -- 6 11 1

WP -- Sicily Johnston. LP -- Kelli Brunke. S -- Sophie Wunderlich. 3B -- Mallorie Maintz (J). 2B -- Grace Mirly 2 (S), Erica Gray 2 (J), Maintz (J). Multiple hits -- Saxony: Mirly 3-4, Logan Meyr 2-3; Jackson: Wunderlich 3-3, Maintz 3-4, Gray 2-3.