The Tipton Tribune
SHARPSVILLE – Not once, not twice, but THREE times Tipton’s Kristen Tragesser went DEEP.
The Blue Devil junior second baseman’s school-record three home runs and seven runs batted in April 23 in a single game lifted Tipton (4-2) to a 13-2, five-inning victory over arch-rival host Tri-Central (0-5).
A check in the state record books showed that only Erin Falkenberry from Pendleton Heights hit more home runs in a single game – four. Seven others had hit three; now make it eight.
“She wasn’t even swinging for the fences,” said Tipton coach Jennifer Servies. “She has a great swing. She hit it on the sweet spot, which you can’t say enough about, and she did it three times.
“The best part is she’s the kind of girl who can put one over and she’s still looking to make contact the next time up. She’s a very disciplined hitter.”
Tragesser’s power surge not only earned her a pair of school records but also a puppy. Wanting a puppy, her parents told her she could get one if she hit two home runs in a game.
She did them one better.
On the afternoon, Tragesser finished a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with four runs scored and seven RBIs. All the long balls were no-doubters and were hit to different fields.
She blasted a two-run home run in the first inning, slugged another two-run homer in the fourth, and capped off her day with a three-run shot in the fifth.
“The first one was really good,” Tragesser said. “After the second one, when I knew I get a puppy, which was great … I felt really good.
“I have been working hard and bearing down (at the plate) lately.”
For awhile, it looked as if Tragesser would not be the only one to make history as Tipton pitcher Devan Alley had a perfect game going through 4 1/3 innings.
Alley retired the first 13 batters she faced. She had five strikeouts, including the side in the third inning, through the first 13 hitters.
She lost the perfect game when she gave up a walk to Tri-Central freshman Lacey Dyer in the bottom of the fifth. Jamie Coose then reached on an error. Alley came back and caught Kara Thomas looking at a third strike for the second out of the inning.
TC’s Ashley Cole then ended the no-hitter with a single to right field that loaded the bases. The Trojans would score twice, and both runs were unearned.
“I feel bad for Devan,” Servies said. “She’s pitched real well for us this season. She said she knew (she had a perfect game going), but no one said anything to her.
“But, unfortunately, those things happen.”
(The following day in a Tipton home outing against Northwestern, Tragesser’s first at-bat resulted in another over-the-fence home run, making four straight. The streak ended there, however, as Tragesser’s next two at-bats hit the fence for base hits.)
Processing your request, Please wait....
