The Smoke remain undefeated on the season after taking the series opener in a 5-3 win against the Smash It Sports Vipers.
Another scorching summer day was predicted for the series opener against the Smash It Sports Vipers, but as luck continues to have it, a far off thunderstorm sent clouds cascading along the horizon, making the evening perfect for softball. The undefeated Texas Smoke hosted the 0-2 SIS Vipers in their second straight series at home. Head coach Tori Tyson didnāt alter the line up much from the opening series including opening day starter, Shelbi Sunseri, getting the nod in the circle.
The Vipers struck early with back-to-back doubles to scratch a run across the board before the defense settled in and closed out the inning. The Smoke offense faced off against Vipers pitcher, Amber Fiser, and dealt their own damage early. Janae Jefferson smoked a line drive off of the glove of the third baseman and Sahvanna Jaquish followed that up with a walk. Baylee Klingler singled to shallow right field to score Jefferson. With runners on second and third, an infield ground ball from Charla Echols scored another. The Smoke would leave one runner on but take the 2-1 lead. The second inning flew by, as both sides went down in order. In the top of the third, the Smoke defense worked around a walk and completed their first double play of the evening. Back at the plate, Jefferson reached on an infield single and stole second base on a ādefensive jugglingā call that had Vipers head coach, Gerry Glasco, arguing with umpires on the field. Glasco was issued a warning and reluctantly returned to his dugout. Jaquish walked for the second time, and a sacrifice bunt by Klingler moved the runners. With two outs, back-to-back singles by Echols and Sunseri scored Jefferson and Jaquish, and the Smoke extended their lead; 4-1.
In the top of the fourth, the first two Vipers reached base and with both runners in scoring position, Tori Tyson called on Alexa Difeo to settle down the Viper offense. A single would score a run for the Vipers and put runners on the corners. The Smoke defense then recorded an outstanding 6-4-2 double play featuring a brilliant throw by Janae Jefferson, from second base back to home plate, that kept a run from scoring. An easy groundout would end the inning and bring the Smoke offense back to the bat rack. Despite getting a runner on via the walk, the Smoke would ultimately strand Jefferson at first.
The Vipers threatened to score again the in the fifth after a single and a walk. Autumn Pease came in to relieve Alexa Difeo before a single through the infield allowed a run across for the Vipers. However, after getting a little ambitious on the base path, the Smoke defense caught a runner attempting to take third and ended the Vipers offensive run. Every Smoke game seems to feature a new historic moment for the players and franchise, and this one was no exception as Charla Echols hit her first professional home run with a shot over the right field wall.
The Vipers leadoff batter reached base on an error to start the sixth, but was stranded after theĀ team hit three straight fly balls to the outfield. Hoping to keep the game within reach, the Vipers relieved starter Amber Fiser with Sierra Hyland who sat down the Smoke bats in order and recorded two strikeouts. Not to be outdone, Autumn Pease handled the Vipersā last chance with ease, recording back-to-back strikeouts to clench another win for the Texas Smoke.
The Smoke will go for their second straight series win tonight against the Vipers at 7 pm.
Player of the Game: Charla Echols had an outstanding game on the field and at the plate. Echols handled everything hit her way and made it look easy while going 2 for 3 at the plate, with 3 RBIs and her first professional home run.
Notable Stats:
Janae Jefferson: 2 Hits, 1 Walk, 1 Stolen Base
Sahvanna Jaquish: 2 Walks
Autumn Pease: 2 Hits Allowed, 2 Strikeouts, 0 Earned Runs Allowed
Uniform: Texas Smoke Whites
Elsewhere in the WPF: The Oklahoma City Spark hosted the USSSA Pride for their first meeting of the season. Chenise Delce pitched a six inning, two hit shutout before Emily Watson came in to close out the game. The Spark bats exploded on the evening, hitting five home runs en route to a 7-0 win.
Iād like to say that coverage of a local womenās pro team is so refreshing! Thank you for what you are doing to shine light on womenās athletics. I cannot wait to read more!