Behind a dominant performance in the circle from Jaelyn Watts and timely extra-base hitting from Brooklyn Thompson, the Rochester Rockets punched their ticket forward in the postseason with a 3-2 victory over the Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones in a tightly contested Sectional Semi-Final matchup.
The Rockets were forced to battle through pressure nearly every inning, but Watts delivered when Rochester needed her most. The right-hander went the distance, allowing just two earned runs on eight hits while striking out an impressive 15 batters across seven innings of work. Watts threw 142 pitches, 93 for strikes, and consistently worked out of difficult situations to preserve the victory.
Sacred Heart-Griffin threatened early in the bottom of the first inning after Addie Malek doubled and McKenna Norris delivered an RBI single to center field to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. But Watts settled in quickly, striking out three SHG hitters in the opening frame and repeatedly shutting down rallies throughout the night.
Rochester answered immediately in the top of the second inning. Mylie Deatherage worked a walk to begin the rally before Brooklyn Thompson crushed a triple to right field, bringing home the tying run. Moments later, Watts helped herself at the plate with a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Thompson to score and giving the Rockets a 2-1 advantage.
The game evolved into a classic pitcher’s duel after the early scoring. Rochester managed only three hits on the night, but each proved critical. Thompson finished 2-for-4 with a double, triple, RBI, and scored once, accounting for much of Rochester’s offensive production.
SHG fought back in the fourth inning when Rayleigh O’Brien launched a solo home run to center field to even the game at 2-2. The Cyclones continued to pressure Rochester with runners on base throughout the middle innings, but Watts repeatedly escaped danger. She struck out two in the sixth inning and stranded multiple runners over the course of the game.
Rochester regained the lead for good in the top of the ninth inning. After the Rockets were held scoreless through several tense innings, Watts stepped to the plate and delivered the game’s biggest swing — a solo home run to left field that pushed Rochester ahead 3-2.
The Rockets still needed three more outs, and Watts finished what she started in dominant fashion. Watts recorded her 15th strikeout and SHG managed a pair of groundouts in the bottom half to seal the sectional semifinal victory.
Deatherage added a run scored and a walk for Rochester, while Emmah Brown contributed a stolen base and reached base after being hit by a pitch. Rochester’s defense also came through in key moments, including Peyton Purves throwing out a runner attempting to steal second base in the second inning.
Despite the loss, SHG battled throughout the contest. Addie Malek collected two doubles, while McKenna Norris and Sammie Bergschneider each recorded hits for the Cyclones.
But the night ultimately belonged to Rochester and its ace. Watts dominated both in the circle and at the plate, powering the Rockets into the next round of postseason play with a gritty sectional semifinal win.
#16 Jaelyn Watts Post Game Interview
#16 Jaelyn Watts with the Game Saving Solo Home Run
#17 Kendall Edmonson secures the Grounder and makes the Throw to #6 Mylie Deatherage for the Final Out – Securing the Rockets Chance at the Sectional Championship
#22 Isabella Harness secures the Grounder and makes the Throw to #17 Kendall Edmonson for the force out
#4 Brooklyn Thompson with a Hard Hit RBI Triple
#10 Peyton Purves Throws out the Runner to #6 Mylie Deatherage for the Tag Out
#4 Brooklyn Thompson with a Hard Hit Double to Left Field