Mineola defeats Kaufman in tourney

Posted 3/11/21

A young Lady Jackets team put together a well-constructed 9-5 win over Kaufman to give Mineola its second win in their five-game performance at the Canton tournament last weekend.

Mineola used their wits, solid contact with the ball and a gutsy pitching performance by Kayleigh Thompson in the win. 

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Mineola defeats Kaufman in tourney

Posted

A young Lady Jackets team put together a well-constructed 9-5 win over Kaufman to give Mineola its second win in their five-game performance at the Canton tournament last weekend.

Mineola used their wits, solid contact with the ball and a gutsy pitching performance by Kayleigh Thompson in the win. 

Thompson, who faced 22 batters over the complete five innings, gave up eight hits while striking out two and issuing three free passes. It was her competitiveness, however, which made the difference.

Following each setback on the mound, whether it was a base hit, a missed target or a play in the field which did not go according to script, she came right back. She consistently rebounded on the very next pitch with either a strike or an excellently-placed pitch. 

The Yellowjackets defense showed up as well. In the first inning, catcher Jaycee Smith gunned down a baserunner trying to steal second. The Jackets closed out the top half with Smith tagging a runner out on a close play at the plate.

On the day, Mineola put out six Kaufman baserunners on the base paths.

Offensively, seven Lady Jackets produced base hits, with Gracie Finley going 3 for 3, and Kenleigh Aguirre going 3 for 4. 

What the Lady Jackets lacked in power hitting, they made up for with infield hits and singles. They used three infield hits and an Aguirre single to build a 3-1 lead after two innings.

Kaufman tied the score in the top of the third. Mineola put together a nice rally to go up 5-3 in their half. Jocelyn Whitehead started the rally with a clean base hit to center. An Audrey Dowdle sacrifice moved the runner to scoring position. RBI base hits by Finley and Smith followed.  

Following the same template, the Lady Jackets added two runs in the fourth and the fifth innings. Kaufman rallied for two additional runs in the fourth but were shut down in the fifth.

A nice double play wherein Alyssa Lankford made a nice catch on a short fly ball in left field and the Jackets doubled up the Kaufman baserunner trying to return to first highlighted the finish.

With only four seniors on the roster, the youthful team should be a lot of fun to watch as their teamwork and talents grow throughout the year.