CHARLOTTESVILLE — There was no rest for the weary at Eastern Hancock on Wednesday night.
One night after taking a no-hitter deep into a rivalry game against Knightstown, Darby Shaw found herself on the other end of a completed no-hit bid against another conference foe, defending state champion and current Class A top-ranked Hauser.
Hauser would win the Mid-Hoosier Conference matchup of touted pitchers 2-0 behind a no-hitter from sophomore pitcher Tessa Sims. The Jets’ ace had five perfect frames in seven innings, surrendering baserunners only in the second inning with a walk and seventh inning error.
Despite Sims’ no-no, Hauser coach Craig Sims was seemingly more impressed with Royals pitcher Darby Shaw.
The no-hitter seemed most in danger as a sinking line drive hit by Royals center fielder Jordan Pierson was knifing towards the ground in the sixth inning. However, replacement left fielder Paige Miller, who normally plays infield, snagged the ball just before it hit the ground, preserving the no-hitter and ending the inning.
“Tessa didn’t really get stronger as the game went on,” Sims said. “Darby kept getting stronger as the game went on, and even when our girls were hitting against her for the third time, (Shaw) had them guessing.”
Unfortunately for Shaw, it was the first two hitters of the game who would score the only runs Hauser needed. Sisters Leslie and Tanner Sims reached base on a bunt and error, respectively.
Leslie Sims would steal second and third base, leading to a run on a ground out by Sydney Giles, and Tanner would score on another error directly after.
“We came out flat, and it showed in the first inning where (Hauser) got their runs,” Royals coach Sue Anderson surmised after her team dropped to 2-1 on the season and 1-1 in the MHC.
Despite the loss, Anderson felt like there is a potential for positives going forward.
“It’s always tough to play a big conference game early in the season like this,” said Anderson. “But this could be a wake up call to get the girls to wake up and come out focused in the rest of our games.”
The Royals will definitely have the opportunity to show their mettle as they play six games in the next nine days. Hauser (3-0, 2-0 MHC) faces Waldron tomorrow before battling Class 4A Columbus North in the first game of the Brown County Invitational.
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Hauser 2, Eastern Hancock 0
Hauser (3-0, 2-0 MHC);200;000;0;—;2;4;1
Eastern Hancock (2-1, 1-1 MHC);000;000;0;—;0;0;3
WP: Tessa Sims (3-0). LP: Darby Shaw (2-1).
Notables: (HHS) Tessa Sims no-hitter, 7 IP, BB, 6K; (EHS) Darby Shaw 7 IP, 2 runs, 4 hits, 4K.
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