Dragons overcome jitters

After spotting Davis to a 5-0 lead in the top of the third inning, Purcell went to work and fashioned a 10-5 victory to open the 2021 fast-pitch softball season.

“We started off a little rocky in the first few innings and Davis took advantage,” head coach Sarah Jones said. “We had a few little miscommunications and first game jitters but they held their composure well.”

The Dragons started their comeback in the bottom of the third when they pushed across three runs cutting the gap to only two that they quickly made up the very next at bat.

Purcell split the game wide open with a five-run fifth inning.

Led by a pair of freshmen, the Dragons pounded out 15 hits.

Hadleigh Harp and Coty Sessions both went 3-4 in their first varsity game. Sessions, who pitched two scoreless innings and played second base, also had an RBI.

Freshman Hannah Whitaker started the game in the circle and went three innings before Sessions came in. Freshman Ella Resendiz relieved Sessions to throw two scoreless innings.

Jones had six players swat doubles including KK Eck, Savanna Edwards, Resendiz, Sessions, Brynley Jennings and Harp.

Edwards had a two-run double going 1-4 at the plate while Eck was 1-2 with an RBI double.

Resendiz was 2-3 and Lauren Holmes had a 2-3 outing that included a team-high three RBIs. Jennings was 2-4 at the plate and knocked in a run.

Payci Constant also had a hit in the contest.

“From the first pitch we were making solid contact,” Jones said. “They made a few good catches, but we took off from there.

“Our kids got more comfortable at the plate and we settled in on defense.

“Hannah Whitaker started us off in the circle and did great, we just didn’t back her on defense,” the coach said. “Coty Sessions came in and did her job and Ella Resendiz closed for us. I had Kailynn Helton staying loose also in case we needed her step in as well.

“It was a great team win all around. For our first game, I’ll take 15 hits and 10 runs any day. Heck, every day! This group is here to compete, coach (Kenzie) Cunnius and I are ready to go to battle with them.”

The Dragons were scheduled to travel to Crooked Oak Tuesday and Meeker today (Thursday).

Bethel was scheduled to play here on Friday and Lexington was on tap to play at Purcell Monday. The Dragons were scheduled to host Chandler next Tuesday.