Jarvis hurls 1-hitter in win

WEST POINT — Holy Trinity’s offense took every opportunity to put pressure on Lone Tree in Monday’s game.
Crusaders pitcher Sydney Jarvis made sure the Lions didn’t do the same.
Jarvis allowed just one hit to the opening batter of the game, then faced the minimum number of hitters in four innings as Holy Trinity won, 10-0, at South Park.
Holy Trinity (4-2) extended its winning streak to four games, with coach Loren Menke liking how his team has settled in at the start of the season. Since losing to Central Lee and Danville to open the season, the Crusaders have swept a doubleheader against Keokuk, won at Mediapolis, then ended this game on the 10-run rule.
“I thought we played really well at Mediapolis on Friday,” Menke said. “Even though we swept a doubleheader with Keokuk, we didn't feel like we played our best — and I still don't think we've necessarily played our best — but we're starting to feel organized and doing the right things. We’re getting positions settled a little bit, and we're starting to feel better. We felt pretty hectic those first couple games, but I think we’ve figured things out.”
One position where Menke wasn’t concerned was pitching, and Jarvis has shown why. She reduced her earned run average to 2.50 in an impressive performance with only one blemish that was immediately erased.
Maggie Burke singled to lead off the game, but was thrown out by catcher Ellie Hellman trying to steal second. Jarvis then retired the next 11 Lions she would face, six by strikeout.
“Unofficial perfect game?” Menke said, laughing. “(Jarvis) has been great all season. This is her second one-hitter of the year, and she’s had a no-hitter. So she’s pitched really well.”

Lone Tree (3-3) came in having won all of its games on the road this season, including at Central Lee on May 22.
“I had looked at their scores and they have had some good wins this season,” Menke said. “We were able to do some good things against them.”
Holy Trinity had a parade of hitters go around the bases in its three innings at the plate — 16 of the 25 batters reached base.
Kenna Gittings scored on an error and Alivia Holmes scored on a wild pitch to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Gittings and Jarvis drove in runs in the three-run second inning.
Then came the third inning, when Holy Trinity scored all five of its runs with two outs. Holmes and Jarvis each drove in runs, and Claire Crabtree had a two-run single.
“We struck out three times in the first inning, even though we scored two runs, we haven't struck out three times in a game all year,” Menke said. “All season so far, we’ve been putting the ball in play, putting pressure on teams. I think we have a good lineup, top to bottom.”
Holy Trinity finished with nine hits.
The Crusaders play Thursday at New London.
“We have a good team. We knew that, we just had to get kind of organized,” Menke said. “And hopefully we can just keep going from here.”