Not much fazes Eagan pitcher Alyssa Jolliffe, and with a string of close games this week and the playoffs on the horizon, that's a good sign for the Wildcats.
With the bases loaded in the top of the first inning on Wednesday, Jolliffe chopped a ball into the dirt, which was picked up by Prior Lake pitcher Angela McBeain, who tossed the ball to Abby Sager at home for a force out.
Sager then tried throwing out Jolliffe, but the ball went over the head of the first baseman, allowing Taylor Luecke to score the game’s only run from second in a 1-0 win over the Lakers at Prior Lake High School.
“We’ve been waiting for this the whole season and it was so exciting to play loose and comfortable,” Jolliffe said after Eagan clinched a share of its first South Suburban Conference title since 2010 and dealt Prior Lake (16-2, 10-1) its only league loss of the season.
The winning (unearned) run came in the top of the first, but the game was far from over. Jolliffe and a solid defense stepped up when needed to help the Wildcats hold a potent Lakers’ offense scoreless for the first time this season.
“(Jolliffe) did an excellent job keeping us off balance at the plate,” Prior Lake coach Matt Haefner said. “She was moving the ball around. We didn't get a lot of good swings and that’s not like our team.”
Jolliffe remained calm while protecting the slim lead the rest of the way, stranding runners in scoring position four times against the Lakers, who are ranked No. 2 in the Class 4A coaches' poll.
In the bottom of the fifth, the junior gave up a leadoff triple but struck out two batters to retire the side, including the final out when the bases were loaded.
“It feels good when we have more runs to work with, but I just have to be confident in my own skills to pitch out of jams,” Jolliffe said.
Jolliffe seemed nonchalant about her high-stakes performance in the circle. The No. 6-4A Wildcats’ coach, Michelle Harrison, is just as acclimated with Jolliffe’s calm demeanor, but had to give credit to her pitcher.
“That was her best performance of the season against a very offensive team,” Harrison said. "That’s saying a lot because she’s been solid for us all season.”
Eagan (15-3, 8-0) has avenged earlier losses to the Lakers and Burnsville this season during its hunt for the league title. The game against Burnsville on Monday was a 1-0 no-hitter.
“I think its difficult in Minnesota: your first day outside is your very first game. But the defense has always been there for us,” Harrison said.
After several tight games in the final week of the regular season, Harrison characterizes her team as scrappy and has called them the “heartbreak kids” at times. With the postseason about to begin, there are surely more intense games ahead for the Wildcats.
“Prior Lake has earned that second ranking and they deserve it,” Harrison said. “I’m just excited that our girls got to show who they were today, too.”
