A pair of late-game, back-to-back hits broke up Maddi Brown's bid for perfection.
In Mt. Vernon's 11-0 win over Stockton Thursday, the senior right-hander retired the first 11 batters, before a pair of fourth-inning singles spoiled her perfect game.
PHOTOS: MOUNT VERNON 11, STOCKTON 0 – CLICK HERE
Taking just enough time for a few deep breaths on the mound, Brown went back to work and got an infield ball in the air for the inning's final out.
After working seven innings in Wednesday's 10-4 victory over Fair Grove, Brown made a few adjustments prior to the Stockton game, which seemed to pay immediate dividends with her control.
"Yesterday, I didn't warm up long enough," Brown said. "I didn't throw as many pitches to start off with, so I was not as sharp in hitting my spots. Today, I made sure I started earlier so I could get a few more pitches in before the game. My curve ball was working very well today. It was breaking hard, starting on the inside and breaking to the outside part of the plate, and it was running in on the left-handers, so that was working good.
Mt. Vernon head coach Matt Schubert was pleased with his ace, who finished with four strikeouts and zero walks in just five innings of work.
"I think Maddi was actually a lot sharper today," Schubert said. "She's one of those who gets better the longer she goes. This week, going two games in a row wasn't much compared to last week when she went five. She did an excellent job today hitting her spots and pitched an outstanding game."
While Brown's performance on the mound was solid, pitching with an early lead never hurts.
An early error and control problems quickly loaded the bases in the first inning for the Lady Mountaineers, before Stockton's Hannah Ewing steadied herself to get the next two batters. It looked like the senior left-hander would dodge a bullet.
Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, Hailea Schubert had other plans at the plate.
Schubert ripped an 0-1 fastball into center field to clear the bases and continue the two-out rally. Her two-for-three day at the plate also included a pair of runs scored.
"I knew I had a job to do for my team," the junior catcher said. "I just went up there, cleared my mind and told myself 'I can crush this ball,' and then she gave me a pitch that I was looking for on the outside."
Coach Schubert was quick to point out the big hit's significance in the inning and in the game.
"That, right there, changed the whole tone of the inning," Schubert said. "She doesn't get that hit, and we only have one or two runs, instead. Her hit there made it a big inning for us."
The Lady Mountaineer bats went to work all through the lineup, as well. All nine starters reached base at least once, and seven crossed home plate.
Disappointing as the loss may have been for Stockton and head coach Lisa Kenney, it could serve as a wake-up call for the team's district preparations. As the Lady Tigers approach the season's final week, Kenney looks to challenge her leaders to be more vocal and more aggressive.
"Last night, we played a team with a slower pitcher," Kenney said. "We were slow getting to the ball, and it really showed. We also have a tendency where, if we get down, we just fall into a hole. We're looking for someone to be a lot more aggressive. We're really missing that right now. We have some great seniors, and we just need somebody to step up and be a bigger and better leader for us."
Mt. Vernon (16-6) travels to Strafford Monday, while Stockton (10-7) faces Ash Grove Tuesday.
Mt. Vernon – 11, Stockton – 0
Mt. Vernon 5 1 5 0 x — 11
Stockton 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
JV Score: Stockton – 4, Mt. Vernon – 3
