Kailey O’Connor tosses one-hitter, guides hosts Ireland to Opening Day win
World No.17 Ireland defeated No. 43 Botswana, 7-0 in five innings, behind a great pitching performance by Kailey O’Connor, who struck out four in five innings and allowed only one run. The host team scored multiple runs in the first and third frames to secure the win.
"It felt great. We were a little nervous at first but once we started getting the first pitch going, it felt normal, it felt like we were all clicking,” said O’Connor after the game. “We've all played together at some point and it felt like we were reunited again. Ready to go."
Ireland crossed the plate three times in the first inning, thanks to an RBI double by Ari Jarvis and a defensive error. Two innings later, the green and white team exploded for four runs, including an RBI single by Ciara Sullivan and an RBI by O’Connor on a fielder’s choice.
Botswana’s only hit was in the second inning, when Tshegofatso Gaetepele singled up the middle.
The losing pitcher for Botswana was their starter, Wangu Gondo, who only retired one out and was responsible for the first three runs of the game.
Asked about the feeling of playing on home soil, O’Connor said: "I wouldn't say it was extra pressure. We were more excited than anything. We turned the pressure into excitement. It means a lot to us to be on our own field, so it kind of gives us an extra boost that we don't have playing at other places."
