Plyler’s 10-Inning Gem, Maines’ Hot Bat Fuel Jones Senior's Gritty Win Over Lejeune
LEJEUNE — With their backs against the wall and extra innings testing every ounce of resolve, Jones Senior softball delivered their gutsiest win of the season Friday night, outlasting Lejeune 10-5 in a 10-inning battle that snapped a two-game skid and pulled the Trojans to .500 in Coastal Plains 1A/2A play.
Senior ace Payten Plyler threw every pitch of the marathon effort, going the full 10 innings, allowing just three earned runs on eight hits while striking out 13 and walking five on 167 total pitches. Plyler also delivered at the plate, going 1-for-6 with a clutch 3-RBI triple that capped off a five-run 10th inning to put the game away.
“Pitching 10 innings is tough,” Plyler admitted after the game. “I did get tired, but I decided to push through for the team no matter how tired I got throughout the game or inning.”
Makenzie Maines led the Trojans (4-5, 2-2) at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks and three stolen bases. She’s now batting a blistering .500 on the season (16-for-32) and continues to be a sparkplug in the leadoff spot. Riley Murphy and Taylor Brown each added two hits, with Murphy driving in three runs and drawing three walks.
Jones Senior totaled 11 hits and drew seven walks, showcasing patience at the plate while also stealing five bases. Defensively, the Trojans turned two double plays to limit damage in key moments.
The game was a back-and-forth affair. After trading leads through the middle innings, Lejeune tied it at 5-5 in the ninth. That’s when the Trojans exploded in the 10th. Plyler’s bases-clearing triple followed singles from Murphy and Brown, who combined for four of the team’s 10 runs.
Through nine games this season, Jones Senior is hitting .316 as a team and has scored 76 runs. Plyler leads the team in RBIs (13), and is batting .467 with 14 hits and 14 runs scored. Murphy is batting .393 with 11 hits and 12 RBIs, while Maines holds the team lead in batting average and hits (16), and is tied for the team lead with seven RBIs.
In the circle, Plyler has thrown 44 of the team’s 51.1 innings, going 4-1 with a 4.14 ERA and 64 strikeouts. Her performance against Lejeune — where she faced 46 batters and threw 111 strikes — was a reminder of her resilience and leadership.
“We’ve gotten better as the season has gone along,” Plyler said. “People are getting their bats on the ball and everyone is improving overall.”
Jones Senior now sits fourth in the Coastal Plains standings but controls its destiny. With six conference games remaining — including a key home-and-away with Northside-Pinetown and matchups against winless Southside — the Trojans have a prime opportunity to improve their playoff position.
Their next game is Tuesday against Northside-Pinetown, who enters tied with Jones at 2-2 in conference play.
