The first inning played in the field for the Perry softball team this season was a wild one. So was their first inning played at the plate.
The Jayettes countered six runs from visiting Gilbert Tuesday with a six-spot of their own in an offensively explosive first frame, but the Tigers were able to prevail in the end, slipping away with a 12-7 non-conference win.
The margin might well have been much larger, but the Perry defense was able to strand three Gilbert runners on base in three innings, and silenced a would-be rally with a triple play to stifle further noise.
A line drive to third baseman Macy Killmer was the first part of the defensive rarity, with a tag of third base forcing a second out and a run-down between second and third base creating the third out of the trifecta.
Gilbert took a 9-6 lead after scoring twice in the second and once in the third, with Perry adding a run in their half of the third. A single mark in the fourth and two more in the fifth helped the guests stride off with the eventual victory.
Jayna Kenney threw all seven frames for the hosts, yielding 12 runs on 18 hits. She issued four walks and struck out five.
Killmer had two singles, with Kennedy Tunink provided a single and a double while Lydia Olejniczak doubled to spark the Perry offense.
Halli Nissen yielded six runs on six hits, two walks and a hit batsman in one inning of work for Gilbert. Lauren Nissen went the rest of the way, allowing an unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out six.
Bella Nelson stroked three doubles and added a single for the Tigers, with Lauren Nissen 5-for-5 with a quintet of singles. The pair recorded three RBIs apiece.
Perry hosts ADM tonight at the PAC and will travel to Saydel Thursday.
