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JB defense rules in 1-0 win over Shippensburg


In a division that seems to be anything but predictable, one thing remains the same. The James Buchanan and Shippensburg softball teams always produce an interesting matchup.

Tuesday was no exception - James Buchanan held Shippensburg scoreless in a 1-0 Mid Penn Colonial victory, rallying together after the tragic loss of one of their classmates.

"The last few years we have had great ball games with James Buchanan," Shippensburg coach Mike Peters said. "It's usually a pitchers' duel, great defense, and it's usually a one-run ball game. (James Buchanan) had a lot to play for tonight."

The only run scored came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Brooke Pittman was awarded a run after an overthrown ball rolled out of the field of play as she was rounding third base. At that point, there were no outs in the inning, and Shippensbrug had to rely on pitching in a bases-loaded situation to end the inning. Back-to-back strikeouts thrown by Courtney Coy got the Lady Hounds out of a jam, but one run was all James Buchanan needed.

"When we got out of a bases-loaded, no out situation and only gave up one run, it's not bad," Peters said. "But the fact that we've been averaging 5, 6, 7 runs a game, and to put up a goose egg here shows you how good their pitching and defense is."

"I knew this game could go any way, but I was especially hoping it would go our way because we were doing it for Violet (Clark)," James Buchanan's Taryn Miller said. "We were making sure to keep communicating, and Jenna (Mongold) did an all-around great job pitching."

Mongold completed the seven-inning shutout with just four hits allowed and three strikeouts for the Rockets (6-3, 2-3 MPC). The James Buchanan defense also stranded eight Shippensburg runners on base.

"For being a freshman she did well," James Buchanan coach Troy Pittman said. "This was her game - she hit her spots and we made a couple great defensive plays, and that's what you need in a game like this. It was a good team win."

"Taryn Miller is phenomenal at shortstop," Shippensburg's Maddie Miller said. "Their defense is always solid, but it was really solid today."

Taryn Miller was responsible for a number of infield outs, and turned a double play with the help of Charity Miller in the sixth inning to retire the side 1-2-3.

Coy struck out four for Shippensburg (6-4, 3-2 MPC) and gave up six hits.