DENVER — A flare to centerfield sent D’Evelyn sophomore Peyton Marvel racing toward home plate in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday.
With the Class 4A Jeffco League game knocked at 2-2, the Jaguars were able to prevent extra innings with a 2-out, RBI single by sophomore Ingrid Dalla. The hit scored Marvel from second base to give D’Evelyn a 3-2 victory in walk-off fashion against Evergreen.
“I didn’t really think much about it,” Dalla said about her coming to the plate with the winning run in scoring position. “I was just looking to get a ball to the outfield to score Peyton because I know she is fast. I wasn’t trying to think about it too much because it was a pressure situation.”
The pressure was on after Evergreen (6-9, 0-2 in 4A Jeffco League) tied the game up with an RBI single by senior Peyton Lawless in the top of the seventh inning. The Cougars were down to their final strike on freshman Addison McEvers and Lawless, but both came up with huge hits to help tie the game at 2-2.
“Evergreen is a really great team and it was a really great game,” said Porreco, who admitted he was surprised it was a low-scoring affair. “It was a great win for us.”
It was a great pitching dual between Evergreen junior Dillyn Collins and D’Evelyn freshman Tess Miller. Collins took the loss despite striking out a dozen Jaguar batters. Miller got the start with D’Evelyn senior pitcher Avery Garbarek injured.
Miller had eight strikeouts and was able to strand six Cougars in scoring position to pick up the win.
“It takes the whole team. We were a little shorthanded today,” Marvel said. “Tess pitched amazing.”
Marvel was amazing herself with a couple of brilliant defensive plays at shortstop, along with having her hand in all three runs the Jaguars scored. Marvel scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning racing home on a wild pitch.
She gave D’Evelyn a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-out, RBI triple to right field that scored freshman Rachel Perlman. With the game tied and two outs in the bottom of the seven inning, Marvel ripped a single up the middle and stole second.
“I have Peyton the green light to steal,” Porreco said. “It was the only way we were going to score. She has so much instinct on the field.”
Dalla delivered the game-winning hit to keep the Jaguars (10-7, 2-0) undefeated in conference play.
“I kind of wanted to attack early to get it done,” said Dalla, who was greeted by Marvel at first base after she crossed home plate.
Conifer — No. 3 in the latest Class 4A CHSAANow.com rankings — looks like the team to beat in 4A Jeffco this season. However, D’Evelyn expects to be in the mix.
“We aren’t a bad team. We do really good under pressure,” Marvel said as the 4A Jeffco League play schedule continue for the Jaguars on Wednesday at Bear Creek. “I think we have a really good chance of winning.”
