By Staff
Watson two-outs away from perfect game
By GREG KATSKI, Staff Writer
The Washington girls softball team manufactured its way to a 2-0 win over Coastal Conference foe Havelock (0-9, 2-12) on Wednesday night.
Pam Pack star pitcher Charity Watson was two outs away from a perfect game, while starting catcher Hailey Stowe and starting center fielder Stacey Mayer scored the only runs of the game.
Watson pitched a complete game for Washington, striking out 18 and nine straight to start the game.
The complete game was broken up in the top of the 7th inning, when Havelock’s second-place hitter, Jamie Queen, drew a walk with one out.
With the Pam Pack clinging onto a 2-0 lead, Sam Shipman knocked a single through the right side of the infield, breaking up Watson’s no-hit bid.
With runners on first and second and one out, Havelock cleanup hitter Ellen Tillman stepped to the plate. Watson regained her composure and struck out Tillman on three pitches. She ended the game by striking out Taylor Smith on a foul tip.
The Pam Pack gave Watson an early cushion to settle down in the bottom of the first. After she struck out the side in order in the top of the inning, Stowe hit a bloop single with one out in the bottom half. Stowe, always a threat on the basepath, stole second on the next pitch.
Lily Ann Arnold followed with a fielder’s choice, advancing Stowe to third. Then, cleanup hitter Watson served up a double, scoring Stowe easily from third.
The Pam Pack struck again in the bottom of the third thanks to some more small ball.
No. 9 hitter Stacey Mayer led off the inning with a perfectly placed bunt single. Just like Stowe, Mayer stole second on the next pitch. The Havelock catcher’s throw bounced into the outfield on the steal, and Mayer trotted into third standing up.
Washington leadoff hitter Kristi Wood followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Mayer.
She said the extra work has paid off.
The two runs were all that Watson would need to cruise to another win.
The Pam Pack (13-4, 9-2) finishes out the regular season with three straight home games. Washington hosts West Carteret on Friday, before finishing up with first place D.H. Conley next Tuesday and South Central on Thursday.
Tuesday is youth appreciation night at the ballpark, with all Washington recreational league softball players getting in for free with a uniform, and next Thursday is senior night for the Pam Pack.