Claxon does it all in pitcher's duel

Sarah Claxon continues to make her case as one of the best all-around players in the NAIA. Against Avila, she threw a complete game, allowing just 1 run, while striking out 6, and also drove in the game-winning run at the plate, to lift the Tigers to a 2-1 win over Avila.

After a quiet opening inning, the Tigers got going in the 2nd. Cassie Rannells led off with a single and got to 2nd on a wild pitch. She advanced to third on a groundout from Peyton Beger. 2 batters later, Ella Forish grounded out to deep short, but it was plenty enough to score Rannells and give the Tigers the 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 3rd, Avila scratched out a single against Claxon, but nothing as else as they were quietly retired. In the bottom of the inning, Claxon helped her own cause at the plate. After Kaylyn Barnett drew a leadoff walk and stole second, she went to third on a Mallory Myers single. Myers was tagged out trying to stretch her spot to 2nd. With 2 out, Claxon stepped up and drilled a ball back up the middle, scoring Barnett and putting GC up 2-0 after 3. 

The 4th was similar to the 3rd for Avila. After a leadoff strikeout, Avila put a runner on 2nd thanks to a long double. Claxon was unfazed as she induced the next 2 batters into weak popups to end any threat. Avila did get a run in the 5th and put runners at 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out. Many pitchers would fold under the pressure here, but not Sarah Claxon. She struck out the final 2 batters of the inning, to get out of the jam.

In the 6th, Avila led off with a single, but the runner was cut down trying to steal 2nd base. Ella Forish delivered a perfect strike down the chute to erase the riunner. The 3rd out was courtesy of another soft infield popup. It proved to be the final threat as Claxon retired the side 1-2-3 in the 7th for the complete game win.

Claxon improved to 6-2 on the year and lowered her ERA to 2.28.