Hebron Christian softball looked like it was cruising to its second mercy-rule victory on the day against Heritage Academy on Tuesday evening.
Having scored 10 runs in the first inning and another five in the third to go up 15-1 — but with just three outs needed to seal the deal — Eagles starting pitcher Reese Williams lost control of the strike zone, allowing free bases to five straight hitters, four on walks and one hit batter.
A few singles coupled in with that turned into a seven-run inning, cutting the lead to just 15-8. However, thanks to the elements and good pitching from then on, the Eagles came away with a rain-shortened victory in five innings, sweeping a doubleheader against the Patriots, 19-0 and 15-8.
Due to Game 2 being a rescheduled home game for Hebron, both teams ended up being home and away on the night — an evening dominated by errors, passed balls and timely hitting.
Hebron needed just five hits to score its 10 runs in the first inning of Game 2, using five walks and two hit-by-pitches as well as a number of errors to keep the run-scoring train chugging along.
Lindsey Daniels had a great offensive performance in the nightcap, going 2 for 2 with three runs scored, three RBI and two walks. Four other players had at least two runs scored each in the win and everyone in the starting lineup scored at least once.
Heritage’s fourth inning really changed the complexion of the game, and with the contest called due to rain, it would have been interesting to see how the Patriots would have fared toward the end of the nightcap.
Aubrey Gray, Maggie Sansing and Lilla Berry each had RBI singles in the fourth, with Berry going 2 for 2 in the inning with two singles.
Sansing also had a two-hit game in the nightcap on Heritage Academy’s senior day, as five seniors were honored in a pregame ceremony before Game 2.
Game 1: Hebron Christian 19, Heritage Academy 0, four innings
Unlike how Game 2 ended with Heritage rallying late, Game 1 was a completely different story as Hebron Christian scored three or more runs in each of the four innings in the eventual mercy rule victory.
The Eagles ended Game 1 like they started Game 2, putting up a 10-run inning in the fourth on just four hits.
Anna Elliott dealt the big blow to start the inning, lacing a double to the left-field wall and scoring when Heritage’s outfielders mishandled the ball.
Heritage ended up hitting three straight batters later in that inning, committing at least three errors as well.
Hebron shortstop Hannah Lowe led the team offensively in Game 1, going 3 for 3 with four runs scored and two RBI. She was one of three Hebron players with a multihit performance in this game and was one of seven players with multiple runs scored.
She, Daniels and Tristan Acker scored three runs or more in the win, the exclamation point from the offense.
Williams dominated in the circle in Game 1, striking out eight in four innings, allowing just four hits over that span.
Take out that fourth inning in Game 2, and over the two games, she allowed just 12 Heritage batters to reach base on the day. Add in the fourth inning, and despite the control issues, she struck out 12 batters overall.
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