OAKLEAF – Its no secret, it takes an all around combination of lights out pitching, solid defense and timely hitting to win games; but without pitching the other two really don’t matter.
Case in point, the senior pitching combination of Madisyn Davis and Cambria Arturo has been so dominating they have allowed only one run through the postseason run, including a current 14 scoreless inning streak.
Since giving up a single run to Tallahassee Lincoln in the fifth inning of a 6-1 first round win over the Trojans, the duo hasn’t allowed another runner to cross the plate.
The streak reached 9 consecutive innings with a 8-0 win over Tallahassee Chiles on Tuesday.
Davis got the win striking out five, while allowing one hit and no runs after five innings, while Arturo finished it off with three strikeouts and no hits.
In the fifth, the Timberwolves loaded the bases with two outs, thanks to a double, a fielders choice and a walk. However, Davis got out the jam with fly out to right field caught by Madi McDaniel.
That’s not to say, the offense slacked off as the Knights attacked Chiles pitcher with 9 hits scoring eight runs.
Davis helped herself out at the plate driving in the first two runs of the game as the Tiberwolves shortstop Kelsey Mead bobbled the ball on the play allowing both Aspen Windesheim and Kaylee Lambrecht.
In the fifth, the Knights gave Arturo plenty of run support with a 4 run fifth inning.
Jasmine Lamug lined a blooper between the pitcher mound, first base and second base, to which no one played the ball allowing Lamug to reach first to start the inning.
Katie Kistler reached on another error by Mead allowing Lamug to score and
Jaeda McFarland laid down a perfect bunt single and reached second as no one covered second base.
Baylee Goddard popped up to short but shortstop Amaya Gainer and Mead both looked at each other allowing the ball to drop in the infield allowing Kistler to score.
With two outs, Windesheim delivered the big blow with a 2 RBI single to left center scoring McFarland and Goddard for a 6-0 lead.
The Knights added to their lead in the sixth with two more runs as Jadrianna Serrano led off with a single to left, Kistler knocked in Serrano with a triple down the left field line and McFarland singled in Kistler for the 8-0 lead.
The Knights (24-4) had to hit the road Friday and play at East Ridge in the Elite 8, a rematch of last years Elite 8 game in Oakleaf.
Oakleaf didn’t waste anytime taking a 2-0 lead in the first, while adding five runs in the second and five in the fourth to take a commanding 12-0 win in five innings.
Davis and Arturo combined on a one hitter and the shutout win to keep the scoreless streak going at 14 innings in a row.
The offense exploded with 14 hits led by Jaycie Brookshire (3-4, 4 RBI), Baylee Goddard (2-3, 3 RBI), Jaeda McFarland (1-3), Kaylee Lambrecht (2-4, RBI), Aspen Windesheim (2-3, RBI), Madi Davis (1-3) and Madi McDaniel (1-1, RBI).
Oakleaf (25-4) will face Winter Springs (29-0) at 4:05 p.m. Thursday in the Class 8A state semifinals in Vero Beach.
