‘Major League’ speed: Hernandez-Jones’ journey around bases in seventh inning allows Raiders to beat Blue Devils

QUINCY — Eric Orne’s knowledge of sports films came in handy Monday evening.

The veteran Quincy Notre Dame softball coach matter-of-factly referenced Raiders left fielder Laela Hernandez-Jones to the fictional Willie Mays Hayes in the classic 1989 baseball movie “Major League.”

“Laela is our fastest player, just like Willie Mays Hayes,” Orne said. “She got on and let her abilities take over.”

Hernandez-Jones slapped a ball to the left side for a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh inning in a tie game against Quincy High School pitcher Brynn Krutmeier, then moved to third on an error and a stolen base. The speedy Hernandez-Jones eventually scored the winning run on another Blue Devils’ error.

Hernandez-Jones’ seventh-inning effort triggered the 2-1 victory at The Backyard. The win allowed the Raiders to sweep the season series after downing QHS 14-2 on May 25.

The victory boosted Notre Dame’s record to 20-6. The Raiders have racked up 20 or more wins in 16 of the last 18 seasons.

QHS falls to 5-15.

Hernandez-Jones accepts her role as a slapper, which in softball parlance equates to a left-handed hitter literally “slapping” at the ball in an effort to line it through the left side of the infield. An effective slapper — with speed — can be an invaluable weapon for any softball team, and Hernandez-Jones fills both of those prerequisites.

“I just have to execute,” she said.

Hernandez-Jones’ game-winning run brought a sudden end to what had been a well-played and entertaining game. The victory also allowed QND to begin building a head of steam for the postseason, which begins May 21 at Petersburg against either Beardstown or Petersburg PORTA.

“Our girls have a good bond,” Hernandez-Jones said of QND’s team chemistry. “A lot of the girls play three sports together. We won state in basketball and would like to do the same in softball.

“This was also a big win for us, because (QHS) is a big rival and it will help give us momentum going into the postseason.”

Eryn Cornwell gained the pitching victory for QND, throwing two innings in relief of starter Caitlin Bunte. The Raiders’ pitchers combined for eight strikeouts, did not walk a batter and allowed four hits — singles to Karly Leenerts, Ariana Adorno, Paige Allison and Kate Mettemeyer. 

Kurfman had an RBI single in the second, which tied the game at 1-1 after QND used an RBI base hit from Abbey Schreacke to plate the first run of the game in the first inning.

Schreacke was the only player in the game with two hits. Bunte and Hernandez-Jones had the only other hits for the Raiders.

“(Krutmeier) threw a heckuva game for Quincy High,” Orne said. “We didn’t put the ball in play a lot. This game had a postseason atmosphere, some old-school softball. The bottom line was we found a way to win and were able to grind it out.”

Krutmeier struck out eight, walked four and did not allow QND’s potent lineup a base hit between the second and fifth innings.

“It was a great ballgame,” QHS coach Darrell Henze said. “You couldn’t have scripted a better game.”

Henze then caught himself, and with a slight grin, quickly added, “Well … (actually) you could have. (QND) just had one more break than we did in a key situation … someone has to win.”

Quincy High had not played in 10 days and had been able to hold only two outdoor practices due to wet weather and wet grounds.

“We’re taking more positives than negatives out of this game,” Henze said.