Turvin, Jackson hurl complete games

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 6, 2009 1:46 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Throw a complete game on Senior Day?

Neither Anna Turvin nor Jenny Jackson could pass up the chance.

The two right-handers combined to permit just one run in 14 innings as Mount Olive swept in-state softball foe Chowan University 4-0 and 7-1 on a sunsplashed Sunday afternoon at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.

Turvin (3-4) scattered nine hits, while Jackson (2-0) flirted with a no-hitter for four-plus innings. The Hawks solved neither pitcher successfully and finished winless in four outings against the Trojans this season.

"Anna completely shut them down, everything was working," said MOC coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham. "She was scheduled to throw at St. Andrews and she only got in two innings (before the rain), so we were ready for her to get on the hill again ... set the pace for us. Her breaking balls were moving like crazy.

"Then, to come back with Jenny, who is the exact opposite kind of pitcher. I think we really didn't give them a chance offensively at all. We did a great job today."

Mount Olive (21-16-1 overall) extended its win streak to a season-best five games, including a doubleheader sweep of Anderson (S.C.) University on Saturday. Higginbotham's team concludes regular-season play at home Wednesday against Queens.

Turvin allowed runners on base in six of seven innings. The senior from south Florida benefited from a controversial inning-ending double play in the fifth inning. Allie Kolezysnki appeared to score Brenna Thomas, a courtesy runner, on a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Trojans felt Thomas left base early and successfully appealed the call, which stifled the rally. Chowan coach Amanda Balduf argued the decision to no avail. The Hawks (23-17) threatened to spoil Turvin's shutout in the seventh inning, but third baseman Allison Czerski gunned down a runner at first to end the game.

Jackson retired 15 consecutive batters after issuing a one-out walk to Kolezynski in the second game. The former Charles B. Aycock standout logged six strikeouts, five infield pop-ups and three groundouts during that stretch.

Chowan center fielder Alex Allen legged out a bunt single to foil Jackson's no-hit bid. Kolezynski swatted a two-out double to score Allen and deny the shutout.

"I got a little tired in the fifth ... felt like I was losing control of it because I haven't pitched a whole game all year," said Jackson. "I knew I had a no-hitter going, but it really didn't matter to me as long as we win. I was just happy to be out there."

Jackson retired the final seven batters to complete the team's Senior Day outing.

"Awesome," said Higginbotham of her team's effort.

Mount Olive batted a collective .327 in the doubleheader. Jackson emerged the top offensive performer with four hits in seven at-bats. Fellow senior Kat Cahoon batted 3-for-5 and reached base during five of eight plate appearances.

Lead-off hitter Jessica Velasquez contributed three hits on the day, including a three-RBI double in the nightcap. Senior Morgan Whaley drew three walks and knocked in two runs.

Overall, the Trojans touched Chowan hurlers Shellie Wimpey (12-8) and Kolezynski (11-9) for 17 hits. Mount Olive claimed its fourth straight victory in the series and improved to 9-2 against the Hawks since 2005.

"We had some great timely hitting with the right runners on base, so it finally seemed to click for us," said Higginbotham. "The last two days have been some of the best ball (we've played). I tell them if you play one hundred percent, the wins will chase you and we got back to that this weekend."