JUNCTION, TX -- Junction senior Jordan Johnson capped off her home career with her first perfect game in a 19-0 win over Christoval in three innings to complete the sweep of a doubleheader with the fledgling program.
Junction won the first game 22-4 in three innings as well.
Johnson faced nine batters, striking out eight along the way. Head coach April McAdams said she hadn't seen more than five perfect games thrown in her 25-plus years of coaching.
"It was perfect," Johnson laughed. "It's exactly what I asked for."
"It's not easy. It's hard to be focused in that kind of atmosphere and not get excited about what that could look like and throw a ball and hit somebody," McAdams said. "She stayed focused. Her changeup was good, it was down in the zone when it needed to be. Fastballs were on point. When she missed, she missed exactly where she needed to miss."
Johnson would also go 1-for-1 at the plate in the second game after going 0-for-1 with three walks in the first game.
Junction took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first before sending 21 batters to the plate to score 16 runs in the second inning of game two. In game one, Junction sent 16 to the plate to score 10 runs in the second inning to take a 15-1 lead.
Macy McAdams, another senior, finished the twin bill 4-for-6 with six RBIs and six runs scored. Emily Lovelace went 4-for-4 with six RBIs and seven runs scored as well.
Abby Braswell took the loss in both games for Christoval.
Junction, who is in the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year, has had their fair share of struggles this season after losing a large senior class last year.
"From the very beginning, [the seniors] had expectations. And they knew we were gonna have to incorperate freshmen," coach McAdams said. "We had three freshmen starting that game. [Senior leadership] makes a big difference."
That's not something uncommon to Johnson, who is a four-year starter for Junction. So, she passed the torch to the freshmen as was done her first year on the field for the Lady Eagles.
"You're gonna make errors and you're gonna make lots of them," was Johnson's message to the freshmen this season. "But just move past them and laugh at them when you're past them. Don't be so hard on yourself. I've always been so hard on myself and that's something you don't need to do, or else you won't get anywhere."
Junction (13-9, 6-4) will face Miles in the bi-district round of playoffs at a time and place to be determined. They will flip for home-field advantage.
Christoval finishes their first softball season 0-10.
Central Picks up Crucial Road Win, Still Needs More for Playoff Spot.
The Central Lady Cats knocked of Fort Worth Richland 6-2 on the road on Monday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The win moves Central to 5-6 in district play, just a half-game behind fourth place Euless Trinity. Trinity has two games left to play against district champion and unbeaten Abilene.
If Trinity were to lose both remaining games and Central were to beat Haltom later this week, the Lady Cats would make the playoffs.
Central and Haltom square off on Thursday.
Ballinger Dominant in Season Finale to Lock Up Second Place
Kiana Alfaro nailed two home runs and drove in six runs to help the Ballinger Lady Bearcats to a 23-0 win over TLCA on Monday. The win secured second place for Ballinger in District 4-3A.
Alfaro finished the day 4-for-5 with four runs scored, a triple and a double to go with her six RBIs and two home runs. Kayli Greer followed Alfaro by going 3-for-4 with five RBIs, three doubles and three runs scored.
Ballinger jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning and didn't let up from there.
Daniella Luna picked up the win in the circle for Ballinger by going five innings and allowing just six hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
TLCA was led by Lainey Griggs, who was the only Lady Eagle to pick up multiple hits. Tyrah Atchison, Kaitlyn Martinez, Elizabeth Maldonado and Brooklynn Thomasson each had a hit as well.
McKenna Manley took the loss after allowing 10 runs on six hits and five walks with two strikeouts.
Ballinger (10-7-1, 9-3) will face the third place team from District 3-3A.
Brady Edges Grape Creek for Third Place
The Brady Lady Bulldogs edged the Grape Creek Lady Eagles 8-7 on Monday in a battle for third place in District 4-3A.
The win means Brady will face the District 3-3A runner-up and Grape Creek will face the 3-3A winner.
As things sit right now, Grape Creek (8-8, 7-5) would get Kermit (9-17, 8-1) while Brady (8-4, 8-4) would face Presidio (11-12, 7-2).
District 3-3A still has one game to play while 4-3A will have completed district play on Tuesday.
Harper gets the Best of Mason to Force First Place Tie
The Harper Lady Longhorns forced a first place tie with the Mason Cowgirls after claiming an 8-0 win on Monday.
Mason fell behind 2-0 in the first inning and was able to hold Harper scoreless over the next two innings, but failed to generate offense. They were held to just four hits on the road.
Bridgit Herrington went 2-for-3 for the Cowgirls. Courtney Hanscheck and McKenzie Cano each had a hit.
Jesse Armstrong took the rare loss after allowing eight runs on seven hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.
Mason (15-8, 9-1) and Harper are tied for first in District 5-2A.
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