3-run deficits? ‘It doesn’t faze’ Mount Vernon in sweep of Williamsburg

MOUNT VERNON — A big hit. A clutch pitch.

A couple of big moments. Both belonged to Jenna Sprague.

“I knew I wasn’t willing to lose to Williamsburg,” the Mount Vernon senior pitcher said. “We needed a big lift.”

Sprague delivered two of them.

First, it was a game-winning two-run double in the opener. Then it was a strikeout to finish a Wamac Conference softball sweep for the Class 3A second-ranked Mustangs, 4-3 and 8-7, Monday night at the Van Metre Family Softball Field.

The Mustangs (13-1 overall, 8-0 Wamac) spotted the third-rated Raiders a 3-0 first-inning lead in both games.

“Down 3-0, it doesn’t faze them,” Mustangs Coach Robin Brand said. “You don’t know who’s going to light the spark. The kids see opportunities and they take them.”

Still leading 3-2 in the first game, Williamsburg (10-4, 7-3) got the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Lilly See singled and Nadia Telecky did likewise to keep the Mustangs alive, then Sprague sliced a liner just inside the first-base line to score both.

“I was pretty frustrated with the way I pitched at the beginning of the game. I had to step up and get a hit,” Sprague said. “This is a big rivalry, even bigger than Solon.

“Williamsburg is such a tough team. It’s such a big game for us.”

The teams split last year’s Wamac twinbill, with Mount Vernon getting the last say — a state-semifinal victory.

Williamsburg struck early again in Game 2, but the Mustangs answered quickly. Maia Bentley hit a two-run homer in the first inning, See hit a go-ahead solo shot for a 4-3 lead in the second and Mount Vernon enjoyed an 8-3 advantage through five innings.

Jersey Metz and Rylee Vercande delivered RBI hits in a four-run sixth to get the visitors within 8-7, but Sprague shut the door in the seventh, with some major help from her batterymate.

After Elle Ridgeway opened the seventh with a walk, catcher Kenna Rollinger threw out pinch-runner Kalon Spratt on a steal attempt.

“(Second baseman) Addison (Gookin) was able to get her whole body in front of the throw so it didn’t get to the outfield,” said Rollinger, who knocked in two runs in the finale.

Sprague struck out the last two batters she faced, nailing down the save after winning the opener on a four-hitter.

Mount Vernon was the 3A state runner-up last year. Williamsburg finished second in 2020. Both are contenders for the big prize in July.

“Last year, we didn’t realize how good we were until we got there,” Rollinger said. “This year is different.”

Williamsburg faces another big test Wednesday, at home against West Division leader Clear Creek Amana, the third-rated team in 4A.

Mount Vernon 4-8, Williamsburg 3-7

AT MOUNT VERNON

Game 1

Williamsburg 300 000 0 — 3 4 1

Mount Vernon 020 000 2 — 4 6 0

Two outs when winning run scored.

Peyton Driscoll and Jenna Thurm. Jenna Sprague and Kenna Rollinger. W — Sprague (10-1). L — Driscoll (5-1).

Game 2

Williamsburg 300 004 0 — 7 9 1

Mount Vernon 311 030 x — 8 12 3

Jersey Metz, Carly Rich (5), Peyton Driscoll (6) and Jenny Thurm. Addison Gookin, Jenna Sprague (5) and Kenna Rollinger. W — Gookin (3-0). L — Metz (4-2). SV — Sprague (1). HR — MV: Maia Bentley (1), Lilly See (1).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com