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ATHENS -- Faith Wrench saw a full county to open the top of the first inning and got hold of a pitch for a single. She stole second base before a strikeout put an out on the board.
But from there, things started rolling Jersey Shore's way.
Two hit batters, two walks, a fielder's choice, a single. Things started to snowball in Jersey Shore's favor as the major softball team plated three first-inning runs. It gave the team confidence en route to an 8-0 win in the Section 3 major softball tournament on Wednesday evening.
"We were on the ball. The girls were seeing the ball well hitting. Defensively, Faith (Wrench) threw strong and with our pitching, we were able to keep right on rolling. Faith threw half of game, put Riley (Bowmaster) in to finish game off and just to switch from lefty to a righty and really held them in check," Jersey Shore manager Adam Wrench said. "We posted a shutout and I'm really proud of the girls."
After taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Jersey Shore tacked on a second-inning run when Wrench hit a single with two outs before stealing second base. Sophia Lehman got hold of a pitch and had an RBI double to bring in Wrench for a 3-0 lead.
Jersey Shore added four runs in the third inning.
Riley Bowmaster reached on a single and stole second and Addi Swales was walked. Cali Black reached on a single as well. Jersey Shore went through nine batters that inning as Bowmaster, Swales, Eden Teneyck and Harper O'Brien all scored.
"I think that's been our goal is to start fast and we did. Our top really produced in that inning starting with Faith leading off with a hit and it just kept rolling," Wrench said. "When you can get a few runs early, especially after kind of going through top of their lineup, for the most part we put them down pretty easy. They just had one walk in that first inning, it's good. It helps the girls have a lot of confidence going into the inning."
Athens wasn't able to get anything going offensively. Wrench and Bowmaster combined in the circle to strike out nine, walk just three and allow only three hits, all singles.
Wrench was glad to see his team bounce back after Tuesday's opening loss and come out strong with an 8-0 victory.
"They believe and they know yesterday was not their best day and we were still in it right until the end," Wrench said. "There was a pretty excited dugout at the end of the game. They were able to turn the corner and get some positive moment."
Offensively, Jersey Shore has been playing outstanding in sectionals. In the opening loss to Mechanicsburg, Jersey Shore collected 13 hits before pounding out 15 on Wednesday. The team can hit from top to bottom against solid competition.
"The girls are on the ball. We really been working in practice just making contact, just put it in play and good things will happen," Wrench said.
"That worked out for us today, but offensively they're all seeing the ball really well. We're pretty excited."
Up next for Jersey Shore is a matchup Thursday in the elimination bracket against Warrior Run and Jersey Shore hopes to keep playing well.
"We know that they're clearly here, they're at sectionals, so they're a solid team. It's a new game. However they lost today, we lost yesterday. It doesn't matter anymore," Wrench said. "What matters is going into tomorrow. We'll definitely match up well and hope for the outcome but I think if girls continue to hit and play solid defense, we definitely have high expectations going into tomorrow."
Jersey Shore 8, Athens 0
Athens 000 000 -- 0 3 1
Jersey Shore 314 00x -- 8 15 1
Faith Wrench, Riley Bowmaster (4) and Sophia Lehman. McGrath and Liechty. W: Wrench. L: McGrath.
Top Jersey Shore hitters: Faith Wrench 2-3, 2 runs; Sophia Lehman 2-3; Riley Bowmaster 2-2, 2B, 2 runs; Addy Swales 1 run; Cali Black 1-2, RBI, BB, 1 run; Madi Barger 1-2, 2 RBis, BB, run; Eden Teneyck 3-3, run; Harper O'Brien 3-3, RBI, run; Riley Crothers 1-3, 2B, RBI. Top Athens hitters: Liechty 1-1, BB.