Independence senior Kim Rega struggled on Monday in her first pitching performance of the 2018 season.
She shook off that lackluster performance and pitched a one-hit shutout to lead the Blue Devils to a 10-0 win over the Middle Township Panthers from Cape May, N.J., on Tuesday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.
“That was a very talented team,” said Independence coach Garry Moore. “Kimmy was lights out. We went from struggling one day to lights out the next day and that’s all about it being the beginning of the year.”
Rega allowed just one hit and struck out four in the six-inning game. She threw just 57 pitches to 19 batters and used her off-speed pitches to keep the Middle Township hitters off balance.
“It always feels good to get a good tempo going on the mound,” Rega said. “I just do my job and hope it’s enough. This year, my changeup has been something that really makes a difference. Coach Moore and I always say that if my changeup is on, I’m on.”
Rega also was on at the plate.
She finished 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs batted in and collected a double in her third straight game.
“Hitting is something that I feel super confident with,” she said. “Especially as a pitcher, hitting feels like a breath of fresh air.”
Behind Rega, the Blue Devils cleaned up their mistakes from Monday and played an error-free game.
Maggie George was flawless at third base and Olivia Pallini vacuumed up every ball hit to the right side. George finished with six putouts and Pallini had four at second base.
“Maggie played a defensive gem of a game,” Moore said. “She had some incredible plays at third base. You just take it for granted how good she is at third. When you have a four-year starter, the ball hits the dirt and you write down 5-3 because it’s automatic. She makes it look easy. Olivia Pallini was really good at second base too. We had solid defense.”
George finished 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and Sarah Piteo was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Jenna Suhy and Morgan Pascarella also had hits for Independence.
The Blue Devils, who improved to 2-1, will play a doubleheader on Wednesday.
