JC Softball storms back with the long ball to give New Hope a scare

James Clemens head coach Bradley Kimbrough talks to his players Farrah Payton (9), Abby Newsom (7) and Sullivan Klopfenstein (13) before they do interviews on Monday at New Hope.

By CALEB ODOM (caleb@themadisonrecord.com)

NEW HOPE — The James Clemens softball team came up short 7-5 on the road Monday against New Hope, but the Lady Jets had plenty to be proud of ahead of the playoffs.

“We are going to be in some tough situations next week against some really good teams,” James Clemens head coach Bradley Kimbrough said.

“So I’m really happy that they showed that fight in them. We talk all year about not looking at the scoreboard, take the next at bat and take the next pitch.”

The Lady Jets used the long ball to climb back into the game in the later innings after the Lady Indians grabbed the early 4-0 advantage in the first inning.

James Clemens starting pitcher, Ana Kimbrough struggled with her command early and New Hope capitalized with a couple of walks and four more hits in the first.

The Lady Indians added to their lead with a 2-run home run by the centerfielder Garrison in the bottom of the second to push the score to 6-0.

Kimbrough was lifted in the third inning for pitcher Jayda Yamaguchi who got her team out of the fire as one more run crossed the plate to give New Hope an 8-0 edge.

Things started to change in this game though when JC second baseman Sullivan Klopfenstein stepped up to the plate in the top of the fourth inning and crushed a ball over the fence for a solo home run.

“Anything is better than nothing,” Klopfenstein said.

“Just to see a number up on the board. Knowing that we always had a chance to come back, but finally starting that little lead, looking up there was a lot better than a zero.”

With Yamaguchi throwing zeros up, the Lady Jets continued to chip away at the New Hope lead.

It was the top of the sixth inning when the James Clemens shortstop Abby Newsom walked and scored when Klopfenstein knocked her in with an RBI single to make the score 7-2.

The Lady Jets were running out of outs though as they entered the top of the seventh inning needing five runs to tie and six to win.

With one out in the seventh, a rally began as Leah Henderlong reached with a single.

The JC dugout was full of screams and encouragement when catcher MaKenna King put down a beautiful bunt single that skidded past a charging third baseman.

All of a sudden the Lady Jets had something cooking.

There were two outs when Abby Newsom stepped into the box to try to make something special happen.

“She kept on throwing inside for everyone, so I expected her to try and jam me,” Newsom said.

“So I was kind of set up off the plate a little bit. I think I got down 3-1 or 3-0 or something like that. And I knew she was trying to throw a strike, her best pitch.”

The pitch came down the middle and Newsom turned on it sending the ball deep to center.

The New Hope center fielder Garrison was tracking the ball and she jumped to try to make the catch near the fence.

Instead the ball hit her and bounced over the fence for a 3-run home run that made it 7-5 Lady Indians.

As Newsome rounded the bases she shrugged in confusion as her teammates cheered with glee.

JC would go down swinging in the seventh, but the team had nearly clawed all the way back.

“I’m always proud when our team fights and competes,” Bradley Kimbrough said.

“That’s what you want to see out of all of our kids.”

After all, it is moments like those big flies that can make the bus ride back to Madison a little easier.