For the second time this year, Live Oak was shutout 4-0 by Notre
Dame.
For the second time this year, Live Oak was shutout 4-0 by Notre Dame.
Although Kim Reeder (14-1) pitched a compete game, Live Oak (6-12, 1-8 TCAL) had a couple of good chances to get on base. Eileen Grove and Andrea Thrappas hit hard balls to right, but both were caught.
“We had hits, but we didn’t get hits,” said Live Oak coach Barry McDonnell. “Once you get down 1-0 against a team like that, it is tough to come back.”
Notre Dame (18-2, 8-1 TCAL) scored one run in the first, one run in the fifth and two runs in the seventh with two outs.
“Both teams played well,” said Spirit coach Joe Given, whose team is ranked in the top 10 in the state. “Their pitcher changed speeds well. I think Live Oak’s record is deceiving.”
“If they were in any other league, they would be in the top three,” Given added. “They were more aggressive and focused than last time. As the season comes to a close, it looks like they are moving in the right direction.”
Jackie Jacob, who pitched a complete game with Justine McDonald behind the plate, took a ball off her right knee but was able to walk it off and stay in the game. Jacob (4-8) gave up six hits.
“I didn’t see any swelling,” McDonnell said. “Otherwise I would have taken her out. She was using her changeup effectively, but she was throwing more pitches than I would have liked.”
The defense for the Acorns came up strong. Alyssa Adamo had a nice running diving catch in center field. Grove turned a double play in the final inning. Shortstop Catalina Rawers went deep a couple times to make plays on hard-hit balls.
Live Oak, which won its first two games in the Watsonville tournament last week, will play league rival Gilroy at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
