The REPORTER
The Westfield softball team made a huge comeback on Friday to beat North Central 11-9 in a home game.
The Panthers roared out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning, then added a run in the second inning to go up 7-0. But the Shamrocks got a jump start in the bottom of the third with two big hits: Sofia Easterhaus smacked a leadoff double, then Ava Kainrath blasted a home run to get Westfield on the board. Later in the inning, Marisa Stormer singled home Hayden Rice.
The ‘Rocks kept the momentum going in the fourth inning. Makayla Watson led off with a single, then Easterhaus drew a walk. Kainrath batted in Makayla Watson with a left field hit, and Easterhaus scored on an RBI fielder’s choice.
Westfield was now within 7-5, and the Shamrocks took the lead in the fifth inning. Chloe Tanner led off with a base hit, then moved to second when Stormer reached on error. Tanner scored when Watson reached on error, then Easterhaus sent a line drive into right field to bring in Stomer and tie the game. Kainrath bunted Easterhaus in and Westfield was in front 8-7.
The ‘Rocks weren’t done yet. In the sixth inning, Stormer singled in Grace Fanelli, Grace Feltz brought Shea Vohs home with a sacrifice fly, and Watson’s center field hit scored Stormer. North Central scored two runs in the top of the seventh, but Westfield got the third out with a groundout.
Kainrath totaled four RBIs for the game; she and Easterhaus both had three hits, including a double for Easterhaus. Watson, Grace Fanelli and Stormer all had two hits. Tanner went six and a third innings for the win, striking out 10.
The Shamrocks are 3-0 and host Franklin Central on Tuesday for their first Hoosier Crossroads Conference game of the season.
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Hamilton Heights was dealt a frustrating defeat on Friday, losing 6-4 at Lapel.
The Huskies got out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Lily Cash singled in Hannah Dent for the first run, then Kaylee Rhoton blasted a home run into center field to score herself and Cash.
The Bulldogs scored a run in the second inning, then added two runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at 3-3. Kassidy Schakel got Heights in front 4-3 with a fifth-inning RBI double to score Cash. But Lapel won the game in the seventh inning with a walk off three-run home run. Tatum Harper and Ava Everman hit back-to-back singles, then Laylah Gore sent them all home with a left field homer.
Cash finished the game with two hits. Lily Roush pitched a complete game, striking out nine.
The Huskies are 1-1 and play their next game Thursday, April 4 at Anderson.