Lady Tigers outlast Piketon in 8-inning win

The McClain varsity softball team needed eight innings and a huge walk-off game-winning double by Brie Cummins to defeat a very talented Piketon team, 13-12 Thursday on Daryle Unger Field in Greenfield.

“It was an all-out slugfest with hot bats on both sides of the field,” McClain head coach Molly Stegbauer said after the game. “I’m so proud of my girls for getting this win for our seniors tonight, and it really boiled down to who wanted it more at the end. Just a great game by both teams that was very intense all the way to the end.”

It was also a very competitive and well-played game that had a little bit of everything — timely hitting, good pitching and great defense.

Piketon got a first-inning home run and took an early 1-0 lead, but the Lady Tigers quickly answered in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs on just two hits, but the big blow was a three-run homer by Leah Lovett.

“Leah had an excellent day at the plate for us with the three-run home run and a two-run double, plus she was intentionally walked her last two plate appearances, which is the highest compliment you can get as a batter,” said Stegbauer.

In the second inning it looked like the Lady Redstreaks might put the game on ice early when they batted around, scoring seven runs on seven hits for an 8-3 advantage. But again, the Lady Tigers bounced back and scored four runs on three hits and trailed by just one run, 8-7.

Lovett was the big stick in the inning with a big two-run, two-out double, giving her five RBIs for the game after just two innings of play.

Gracie Bowers, McClain’s senior workhorse hurler, seemed to settle down and find her groove in the third and sat down the Piketon hitters in order.

The McClain bats continued to flame in the bottom of the third when they plated two more runs on three hits and took back the lead, 9-8. Harley Peabody and Sarah Easter both had run-scoring singles in the frame.

Piketon tied the game in the top of the fourth with a single run on just one hit. The game remained tied due to some solid pitching and great defensive plays by both teams until the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Lady Tiger hit machine continued to roll with a four hit, three run rally highlighted by an RBI triple from the bat of Olivia Stegbauer. Allie Flowers had a double and scored a run, and Peabody and Cummins both had RBI singles in the scoring spurt, giving McClain the 12-9 advantage.

Piketon cut the deficit to 12-10 in the top of the sixth when they scored another run on two hits.

McClain went quietly in the bottom of the sixth, and the Lady Redstreaks tied the game in the top of the seventh with two runs on four hits. It looked like the Lady Tigers were poised to win it in the bottom of the seventh when they got a lead-off triple by Cummins and back-to-back walks loaded the bases, but the Piketon pitcher ended the threat by retiring the next two McClain batters.

Bowers did her part in the top of the eight and worked out of a two-out, two-on, mini-jam, setting up the exciting finish. Things didn’t start well in the bottom of the eighth for McClain when the first two batters were retired.

But the never-say-die Lady Tigers got a big single by Sarah Easter, and leadoff batter Lindsey Hutchinson beat out an infield single, bringing up Cummins again, who delivered the game-winning two-out walk-off double, sending the McClain team and fans into a joyous frenzy.

“Harley (Peabody), Leah (Lovett) and Brie (Cummins) all showed up big for us at the plate tonight,” Stegbauer said “Gracie Bowers brought the consistency we needed in the circle, going eight grueling innings to pick up the win. She had great defense behind her and a lot of hustle plays from her teammates.”

“I really could say something positive about everyone on this team, I’m very proud of our girls for not giving up even when they trailed and not losing focus or sight of this win. It was just a great team effort.”

Coach Stegbauer spoke about her four seniors after the game. 

“These four seniors, Gracie Bowers, Allie Flowers, Jacolyn Bolender and Harley Peabody, have made a huge impact on this program,” Stegbauer said. “Their dedication and leadership will not be easily replaced or forgotten. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to coach such a great group of young ladies in their final varsity season.”

Batting leaders for McClain: Brie Cummins 4-for-6, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Olivia Stegbauer 1-for-2, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Leah Lovett 3-for-3, HR, double, 5 RBIs; Allie Flowers 2-for-5, 2 runs; Harley Peabody 3-for-5, run, 2 RBIs; Sarah Easter 2-for-4, 2 run, RBI.

McClain travels to Hillsboro on Monday, April 29 before returning home on Tuesday, April 30 to host the Lady Indians.

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.