Mortimer Jordan softball 2019

MONTGOMERY—Stephanie Schoonover tossed a pair of walks, one in the fourth inning and another in the fifth, and those were the only calls separating her from a perfect game on Thursday morning.

The Kentucky pledge led fourth-ranked Rehobeth to a 7-0 victory over No. 5 Mortimer Jordan in the first round of the Class 5A State Softball Tournament. Schoonover, a junior righty, struck out the first 11 batters she faced before Blue Devil sophomore Brooke Nash broke up perfection with a four-pitch walk in the fourth. She was later stranded on first base following an inning-ending popout.

Schooner finished with a no-hitter to go with 17 strikeouts and two walks. She retired 21 of the 23 batters she faced. Blue Devil junior Danilyn Moore drew the second walk in the fifth inning.

Mortimer Jordan junior Madi Maze also brought a strong effort to the circle, tossing 6 1/3 innings on Thursday morning. Maze struck out 15 batters and walked three while allowing five runs, only two of them earned.

Senior Katelyn Holcombe checked in for the final two outs, allowing two more runs to score.

Mortimer Jordan (36-14), the West-Central Regional Tournament champion, will return to Lagoon Park this afternoon at 2:15 p.m. for a must-win game against Sardis, who fell to John Carroll Catholic by a score of 11-1 on thursday morning.