Jacie Taber pitches no-hitter in 1-0 tournament win over Muskogee

Photo: Scott Emigh

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Sophomore pitcher Jacie Taber (9-4) pitched the first no-hitter of her career in a low-scoring 1-0 victory over Muskogee (7-15) Friday afternoon in Tahlequah. The Charles Page High School varsity softball team (21-6) traveled to the Northeastern State University high school tournament Friday and edged out the Lady Roughers with five hits and a single run.

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Taber got off to a great start, striking out the first batter of the game. The Lady Sandites came in to bat and started off with a single from freshman Felicity Horn. Horn was put out on a fielder's choice that allowed Jessica Collins to reach base. Oklahoma State commit Sydney Pennington singled, but was left stranded with Taber, who reached on a fielder's choice that outed Collins, after Madelyn Blair flied out to left field.

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Taber gave up a walk in the top of the second but struck out one batter and two others flied out. Muskogee pitcher Elexis Watson walked Sabrina Usher and Rachel Blair in the bottom of the inning, but struck out Cameron Clemons and Kimi Presnell and stranded the two runners as Horn grounded out to first base.

Kayleigh Phillips was hit by pitch in the top of the third and her courtesy runner was put out on a fielder's choice to reach Phynix Coleman who was ultimately left stranded. 

The Sandites finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third as Pennington, Taber, and Madelyn Blair all singled to load the bases. Usher lined out to center field and Pennington scored after tagging up. Blair was left stranded, however, as courtesy runner Makenna Skaggs was put out at third on a fielder's choice to end the inning with a 1-0 lead.

Rachel Blair walked in the bottom of the fourth, but she would be the only runner to get on base for the duration of the game and the Sandites secured the win as the tournament time limit expired in the bottom of the fifth.

Taber struck out four batters and only walked two in the first no-hitter of her career. She holds a 0.77 ERA having given up only nine earned runs this season in 82 innings pitched. Pennington was two-for-two at the plate with two singles and the lone run of the game. She continues to lead the Sandites in batting with a .521 batting average.