SOFTBALL: Friday's roundup, James Buchanan holds off Big Spring for 5-4 victory

NEWVILLE >> James Buchanan scored in only one inning of Friday's softball game against Big Spring.

The Rockets put across five runs in the top of the second inning, then held off the fiesty Bulldogs to claim a 5-4 victory in Mid Penn Colonial Division action and reclaim first place.

"These players never cease to amaze me with how they never give in," JB coach Eric Reed said. "I can't say enough about the job Nina Shatzer did and has done. We would not be where we are if it wasn't for her. She gave us five of the biggest innings anyone has thrown."

Shatzer earned the victory by pitching five innings. She allowed nine hits but gave up just four runs, three of which were earned, and she also got the Rockets (15-2, 7-1 MPC) out of a big jam.

In the bottom of the second inning, Big Spring had the bases loaded with no outs. Shatzer induced a short pop-up and a groundball to third, where third baseman Cara Bender got the force-out at home. Shatzer then got the final out by inducing a pop-up to Taryn Miller, who was playing first.

Miller, in her first game back from an injury, also earned her second save, throwing two hitless innings.

"(Shatzer) has thrown a lot of innings the last two weeks, including three days in a row, so she was a little tired," Reed said. "We brought Taryn in, and she shut the door. It was nice having Taryn back also because it seemed to pick the whole team up."

The Rockets mustered only five hits and were led by Brooke Pittman, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run single.

J. Buchanan 5, Big Spring 4

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W — Nina Shatzer (10-2); S — Taryn Miller (2); L — DeWalt.

SB — (JB) Brooke Pittman, T.Miller, Charity Miller.

SOUTHERN FULTON 9, HANCOCK 1 >> Southern Fulton snapped a seven-game losing streak with a non-league win over Hancock.

The Indians (7-10) scored all nine runs in the fourth through sixth innings, and Olivia Mottern hurled a gem on the mound. She gave up just one run and three hits in seven innings, with nine strikeouts and one walk.

"It's been a while since we hit this well," Southern Fulton coach Stacy Smith said. "We also played good defense, and Olivia was solid."

Erica Hoffman finished with two hits and a stolen base, and Kierstyn Morton had two hits and drove in four runs. Mottern finished 3-for-4.

So. Fulton 9, Hancock 1

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W — Olivia Mottern (5-8); L — Demory.

2B — (SF) Mottern, Kierstyn Morton; SB — Erica Hoffman.

MERCERSBURG 7, ST. JOHN'S 1 >> Mercersburg Academy wrapped up its fourth consecutive Independent Parochial School League softball championship on Friday by defeating St. John's Catholic Prep.

The Blue Storm's only senior, Sydney Reath, earned the win with a four-hitter, striking out 13 and walking three, and also cracked a double.

"It was Senior Day, and the girls were really excited to win the championship for Sydney," Mercersburg coach John David Bennett said. "We're happy to win the title again, because this league is improving."

Maya Miller led off a four-run first inning for the Blue Storm (7-5) by hitting an inside-the-park home run. Sarah Lyman hit an RBI single and Lauren Jones brought in two more with a base hit.

Miller, Alyssa Magazine and Jones each had two hits.

Mercersburg 7, St. John's 1

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W — Sydney Reath (7-4); L — Hill.

2B — (MA) Reath; HR — (MA) Maya Miller (1); SB — (MA) Miller.