Fourth inning proves too much for Lady Jets in semi-state contest

Coming into Hauser’s semi state contest against Clay City, Jets’ coach Andy Brunner knew that the Eels had run hot and cold at the plate throughout the season. When they were good, they were really good. But when they were not good, they were the opposite.

Sadly for Hauser, Clay City was good on this day. Really good. The Eels powered their way past the Jets, handing them a 12-5 defeat, ending Hauser’s season.

The major damage was done by Clay City in the fourth inning. The inning started innocently enough, as Jet hurler Paige McDaniel retired two of the first three batters, only giving up a single. But what followed was not as much of a flood but an avalanche on Eel hits.

At this point, after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning on a Hannah Harris homerun, the Jets had fought their way to a 3-2 lead by scoring a single run in each of the first three innings. With two quick outs, the Jets were looking to get back to the plate to add to their lead.

Clay City, however, had a vastly different plan. The Eels’ Kaylee Miller started the barrage with Clay City’s second homerun of the game, giving the Eels the lead 4-3. Miller’s homerun was followed by three singles, three doubles, and a homerun before Hauser was able to record the third out of the inning.

When all was said and done, Clay City had scored nine runs in the inning, all with two outs. When Hauser came to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning, they trailed 11-3, a deficit that proved to be insurmountable.

The Jets did not quit, as they were able to score two more runs in the final innings, but it was not nearly enough. In all, the Eels had 16 hits, half of which were for extra bases. They slugged four doubles and four homeruns on the day.

Hauser was not without its offensive stars, however. Hannah Johnson went 4-4 on the day with a double and 2 runs batted in. McDaniel was 2-4 with a triple, and Hannah Taylor was 2-4 with a double. On this day though, they ran into a Clay City team that hit everything in sight and hit it hard.

Hauser finishes its year with a 25-5 record, a conference title and sectional and regional championships. The future also looks very bright for the Jets.

Although they are losing three seniors, everyone else will return along with a talented incoming class next year.