The NCHS JV Eagles experienced a mix of frustration and triumph this week, dropping a 7-4 game to the Effingham Flaming Hearts on Monday before bouncing back with a dominant 18-0 win over the Marshall Varsity Lions on Tuesday.
Monday: Eagles Fall to Flaming Hearts, 7-4
NCHS JV Eagles came up short in Monday’s contest against the Effingham Flaming Hearts, who capitalized early on defensive miscues and a big third inning to secure a 7-4 victory.
Effingham wasted no time, putting pressure on NCHS with two early runs in the first inning, both coming off errors. The momentum continued in the top of the third when Effingham exploded for five more runs on seven hits. Molly Maxedon delivered a two-run single, Madilyn Summers knocked in another with a base hit, and Ryley Engel capped off the inning with a two-run double.
The Eagles answered in the bottom half of the third. Jacee Dhom delivered the highlight of the night, blasting a three-run homer to center field on a full count to close the gap.
Despite the surge, Effingham’s pitching held steady. Ryley Engel earned the win, allowing just three hits and four unearned runs over three innings. Lexie Ghast was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits in three innings.
Dhom led the Eagles offensively, going 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. The Eagles also turned a double play in the field.
Effingham’s offense was consistent throughout, with eight players notching hits. Engel and Maxedon each drove in two runs.
Tuesday: Eagles Dominate Marshall, 18-0
The Eagles didn’t dwell on Monday’s loss for long, responding with a vengeance on Tuesday as they blanked the Marshall Varsity Lions 18-0 in a runaway road win.
NCHS set the tone early, putting three runs on the board in the first inning behind a walk by Dhom, a Marshall error, and an RBI single from Hydi Bierman.
The second inning was all Eagles, as they poured in eight more runs on six hits. Jorjia Reich blasted a two-run homer, Lexie Ghast doubled in a run, Dhom and Emma Inyart added RBI hits, Bierman doubled in another, and a dropped third strike brought home one more.
Reich and Emma Brooks continued to shine in the third inning, each driving in a run with extra-base hits.
The Eagles capped off their scoring with a five-run fourth, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Gabby Flowers, along with RBI singles from Adalyn Schulte and Brooks.
On the mound, Karly Deckard was lights out, tossing two hitless innings and striking out two. Ghast came in for relief and was just as effective, pitching two no-hit innings and striking out five.
The Eagles tallied 17 hits, with Brooks going a perfect 4-for-4 to lead the charge. Reich drove in three runs, while Bierman and Inyart each recorded multiple hits. The Eagles also ran the bases aggressively, swiping five bags and playing error-free defense.
Next up, the NCHS JV Eagles will face Robinson Varsity Maroons on Saturday as they look to build momentum following their resounding Tuesday win.
