Needing 2, J-Hawks settle for 1

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Jefferson J-Hawks got a win on a night in which they probably needed two.Alyssa Olson pitched a three-hitter, throwing shutout ball most of the way as Class 5A ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson beat Dubuque Hempstead, 3-1, in the first game of a crucial Mississippi Valley Conference softball double-header Tuesday night at Larry Niemeyer Field.The Mustangs won the nightcap, 4-3, scoring two sixth-inning runs to come from behind.An opportunity lost?"It certainly was," Jefferson Coach Brian Erbe said. "We had a chance to kind of take control (of the Mississippi Division), but sometimes we don't make enough adjustments at the plate."With division leader Dubuque Senior splitting a double-header with Cedar Rapids Xavier, the Rams (24-4, 15-3) maintained a slim lead over both Hempstead (24-5, 14-4) and Jefferson (23-7, 15-5) with time running out."We've been watching it close, and we're trying our hardest," Olson said. "It's important to us, but the most important thing is getting to Fort Dodge (for the state tournament)."Olson, a sophomore, improved to 14-1 in commanding fashion. She struck out eight, and didn't allow a baserunner past second base until Jessica Brown homered in the seventh inning.After spending the majority of the season as the second-game starter, Olson has been moved to the Game 1 pitcher."I really focused on hitting my spots and getting pop flies and ground balls," she said. "It was a team effort. The defense played well and the bats came alive."Jefferson led 1-0 after four innings despite collecting no hits. Kaitlyn Davidson supplied a two-run single in the fifth to give the J-Hawks some breathing room.In the second game, Jefferson rallied from a 2-0 deficit behind Erin Kuba's two-run home run -- the first of her varsity career -- in the fourth. Amber Grimm's RBI single put the J-Hawks in front in the fifth, but Hempstead answered.Lexey Hanson lifted an RBI double off the outstretched glove of J-Hawks right fielder Hannah Towns with two outs in the sixth to tie it, then Courtney Ryder followed with a single to plate Hansen.Ryder called for time in the batter's box, was denied by the umpire, then laced the go-ahead hit.The J-Hawks couldn't do anything with a leadoff walk by Dani Stromert in the seventh."Sometimes we're zone hitters instead of adjusting to what the pitcher throws us," Erbe said.Jefferson has remaining league twinbills with Iowa City High, Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Iowa City West. 

Hailey Koerperich and Courtney Ryder. Alyssa Olson and Maddie Hansen. W -- Olson (14-1). L -- Koerperich (10-4). HR -- DH: Jessica Brown (2).

Game 1

 

 

 

 

R

H

E

Dubuque Hempstead

0 0 0

0 0 0

1

--

1

3

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

0 0 1

0 2 0

x

--

3

3

Jordan Albrecht and Courtney Ryder. Brooke Stauffer and Maddie Hansen. W -- Albrecht (11-1). L -- Stauffer (8-5). HR -- CRJ: Erin Kuba (1)

Game 2

 

 

 

 

R

H

E

Dubuque Hempstead

0 0 0

2 0 2

--

4

6

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

0 0 0

2 1 0

--

3

8

2